Biodegradable and biocompatible radiopaque iodinated poly-3-hydroxy butyrate: synthesis, characterization and in vitro/in vivo X-ray visibility

Hazer, Baki/0000-0001-8770-805XWOS: 000511700600016TARAMASCOPUSTARAMAWOSSome novel radiopaque biodegradable and biocompatible iodinated polymers based on poly-3-hydroxy butyrate (PHB) were obtained. Following the attachment of diethanol amine to PHB, the hydroxyl ends were capped with 4-iodobenzoic acid and 2,3,5-tri-iodobenzoic acid. In this manner, tri-novel radiopaque polymers were obtained. The resulting polymers were structurally characterized by NMR technique. They were evaluated with respect to their possible use as radiopaque implant biomaterials indicating X-ray visibility in a noninvasive manner using routine X-ray absorption imaging techniques. These polymers exhibited good radiopacity with conventional imaging X-ray techniques in vivo. Additionally, biocompatibility of these iodinated polymers was also evaluated. There were no signs of infection or abscess formation on the surgical area. These novel radiopaque PHBs should be promising biomaterials for a new-generation radiopaque materials.Kapadokya University [KUN.2018-BAGP-001]; Bulent Ecevit University Research FundsBulent Ecevit University [BEU-2017-72118496-01]This work was supported by the Kapadokya University (#KUN.2018-BAGP-001) and Bulent Ecevit University Research Funds (#BEU-2017-72118496-01). The authors thank to Fatih Pekdemir for taking FTIR spectra. This paper has been proofread by Bulent Ecevit University Article Proofreading and Editing Office

Gold and Cobalt Oxide Nanoparticles Modified Poly-Propylene Poly-Ethylene Glycol Membranes in Poly (ε-Caprolactone) Conduits Enhance Nerve Regeneration in the Sciatic Nerve of Healthy Rats

TARAMAPUBMEDTARAMASCOPUSReconstruction of nerve defects is a clinical challenge. Autologous nerve grafts as the gold standard treatment may result in an incomplete restoration of extremity function. Biosynthetic nerve conduits are studied widely, but still have limitations. Here, we reconstructed a 10 mm sciatic nerve defect in healthy rats and analyzed nerve regeneration in poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) conduits longitudinally divided by gold (Au) and gold-cobalt oxide (AuCoO) nanoparticles embedded in poly-propylene poly-ethylene glycol (PPEG) membranes (AuPPEG or AuCoOPPEG) and compared it with unmodified PPEG-membrane and hollow PCL conduits. After 21 days, we detected significantly better axonal outgrowth, together with higher numbers of activated Schwann cells (ATF3-labelled) and higher HSP27 expression, in reconstructed sciatic nerve and in corresponding dorsal root ganglia (DRG) in the AuPPEG and AuCoOPPEG groups; whereas the number of apoptotic Schwann cells (cleaved caspase 3-labelled) was significantly lower. Furthermore, numbers of activated and apoptotic Schwann cells in the regenerative matrix correlated with axonal outgrowth, whereas HSP27 expression in the regenerative matrix and in DRGs did not show any correlation with axonal outgrowth. We conclude that gold and cobalt-oxide nanoparticle modified membranes in conduits improve axonal outgrowth and increase the regenerative performance of conduits after nerve reconstructio

Age does not affect the outcome after digital nerve repair in children – A retrospective long term follow up

Background Digital nerve injuries in children are not common, but they are considered to have an excellent prognosis, compared to adults, after nerve injury and repair. In studies including both children and adults age have been found to have an effect on outcome after nerve repair. Methods We investigated in a retrospective follow up study the long-time result after digital nerve injury and repair in children, 1–16 years of age (n = 38), and evaluate if age influences outcome. A group with young children, 1–10 years of age (n = 18), was compared with a group with older children, 11–16 years of age (n = 20). A clinical evaluation to evaluate sensation and grip strength was performed and questionnaires were used [Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), Cold Sensitivity Severity Scale (CISS), VAS-function and VAS-cosmetic] in median 40 months (range 12–131 months) after the injury and repair. Results All patient regained normal sensation. No correlations between age and monofilaments were found. Twenty children (52%) reported some problems with cold intolerance (i.e. CISS), but no other abnormal disability was found (i.e. DASH, VAS); again with no differences between the two groups. Conclusions Children have an excellent long-term recovery after a digital nerve repair and without any influence of age

Evaluation of small nerve fiber dysfunction in type 2 diabetes.

To access publisher's full text version of this article click on the hyperlink belowOBJECTIVES: To assess potential correlations between intraepidermal nerve fiber densities (IENFD), graded with light microscopy, and clinical measures of peripheral neuropathy in elderly male subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and type 2 diabetes (T2DM), respectively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: IENFD was assessed in thin sections of skin biopsies from distal leg in 86 men (71-77 years); 24 NGT, 15 IGT, and 47 T2DM. Biopsies were immunohistochemically stained for protein gene product (PGP) 9.5, and intraepidermal nerve fibers (IENF) were quantified manually by light microscopy. IENFD was compared between groups with different glucose tolerance and related to neurophysiological tests, including nerve conduction study (NCS; sural and peroneal nerve), quantitative sensory testing (QST), and clinical examination (Total Neuropathy Score; Neuropathy Symptom Score and Neuropathy Disability Score). RESULTS: Absent IENF was seen in subjects with T2DM (n = 10; 21%) and IGT (n = 1; 7%) but not in NGT. IENFD correlated weakly negatively with HbA1c (r = -.268, P = .013) and Total Neuropathy Score (r = -.219, P = .042). Positive correlations were found between IENFD and sural nerve amplitude (r = .371, P = .001) as well as conduction velocity of both the sural (r = .241, P = .029) and peroneal nerve (r = .258, P = .018). Proportions of abnormal sural nerve amplitude became significantly higher with decreasing IENFD. No correlation was found with QST. Inter-rater reliability of IENFD assessment was good (ICC = 0.887). CONCLUSIONS: Signs of neuropathy are becoming more prevalent with decreasing IENFD. IENFD can be meaningfully evaluated in thin histopathological sections using the presented technique to detect neuropathy.Swedish Research Council Diabetes Association in Malmo Swedish Diabetes Foundation Skane University Hospital Lund-Malmo Lund University Region of Skan