Multicellular Interactions in 3D Engineered Myocardial Tissue

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in the US and many countries worldwide. Current cell-based clinical trials to restore cardiomyocyte (CM) health by local delivery of cells have shown only moderate benefit in improving cardiac pumping capacity. CMs have highly organized physiological structure and interact dynamically with non-CM populations, including endothelial cells and fibroblasts. Within engineered myocardial tissue, non-CM populations play an important role in CM survival and function, in part by secreting paracrine factors and cell-cell interactions. In this review, we summarize the progress of engineering myocardial tissue with pre-formed physiological multicellular organization, and present the challenges toward clinical translation

ELECTROSPRAYED PARTICLES AS DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR CARDIOVASCULAR REGENERATION

Ph.DDOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (FOE

Design, implementation and evaluation a tool to strengthen physician- patient communication skills of medical students

Introduction: How to communicate and interact with the patient play an effective role in patient satisfaction, treatment outcome, psychological effects, medical costs, clinical competence of physician, and even patient’s complaining. these skills can be learned. Studies showed that physician did not receive enough training regarding general communication skills. this study aimed to provide a tool to strengthen communication skills of medical students in an effective and simple manner. Methods: This quasi-experimental intervention study was performed on medical students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in Internship period in 1388. Participants were randomized to the intervention and control groups (75 student in each group). intervention group received the tool were developed for guiding physicians to communicate with patient. After two months, physician- patient communication in two groups was assessed and compared. Finally, data analysis was performed with spss software. Results: The overall mean was 29/36±7/2. mean score in both intervention and control groups were 32/5±7 and 26/19±5/91 respectively. the mean difference between two groups was 6/35. Difference between intervention and control groups was significant (p<0/001). Conclusions: The results showed the use of educational tools are effective on communication with patients. Education about effective communication with patients should be considered in educational material for medical students

Electrospraying technique for the fabrication of metronidazole contained PLGA particles and their release profile

Advanced engineering of materials for the development of drug delivery devices provides scope for novel and versatile strategies for treatment of various diseases. 'Electrospraying' was used to prepare PLGA microparticles and further encapsulate the drug, metronidazole (Met) within the particles to function as a drug delivery system. Two different solvents were utilized for the preparation of drug loaded PLGA particles, whereby the polymeric solution in dichloromethane (DCM) produced particles of bigger sizes than using trifluoroethanol (TFE). Scanning electron microscopy showed the spherical morphology of the particles, with sizes of 3946 ± 407 nm and 1774 ± 167 nm, respectively for PLGA-Met(DCM) and PLGA-Met(TFE). The FTIR spectroscopy proved the incorporation of metronidazole in the polymer, but without any specific drug-polymer interaction. The release of the drug from the particles was studied in phosphate buffered saline, where a sustained drug release was obtained for at least 41 days. Cytotoxicity evaluation of the drug extract using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) showed not hindering the proliferation of MSCs, and the cell phenotype was retained after incubation in the drug containing media. Electrospraying is suggested as a cost-effective and single step process for the preparation of polymeric microparticles for prolonged and controlled release of drug.Fil: Prabhakaran, Molamma P.. National University Of Singapore; SingapurFil: Zamani, Maedeh. National University Of Singapore; SingapurFil: Felice, Betiana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Ramakrishna, Seeram. National University Of Singapore; Singapu

Controlled delivery of stromal derived factor-1? from poly lactic-co-glycolic acid core-shell particles to recruit mesenchymal stem cells for cardiac regeneration

Journal of Colloid and Interface Science451144-15

Which outcomes do women expect to achieve after undergoing induced abortion

Introduction: Unsafe abortion is one of the most important health problems in many countries. Because of legal and moral issues, abortion is one of the most sensitive decisions. The aim of this study was to understand women's expected gains from undergoing induced abortion. Methods: To explain the factors leading to induced abortion, we collected the stories and experiences of a total of 21 people, including 18 women who underwent induced abortion in their most recent pregnancies, two women's health providers, and a companion of a mother who died after an induced abortion. This qualitative study was conducted in Imam Khomeini and Razi hospital of Ahvaz and also a number of health centers, from February to September 2014. To collect the required data, we used open and semi-structured deep interviews. Content analysis method was used to analyze the data. Results: Three major themes emerged from the analysis of the collected data, which included the following: 1) Expected favorable health-related outcomes, 2) Expected favorable economic outcomes, and 3. Expected favorable outcomes in social level and family relationships. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the studied women, to achieve to desirable outcomes in areas of health, economic and social, have undergone induced abortion. Hence, to develop programs for the prevention of induced abortion it is necessary to consider the motivations of women to intentionally terminate a pregnancy

Physicochemical Changes of Contaminated Titanium Discs Treated With Erbium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Er:YAG) Laser Irradiation or AirFlow Abrasion: An In Vitro Study: Physicochemical Changes After Decontamination of Titanium Discs

Introduction: Peri-implantitis is a common complication of dental implant treatment. A cause-and effect relationship has been previously documented between microbial plaque and peri-implantitis and implant failure. A difference has been reported in the disinfection efficacy of erbium laser irradiation and air-flow abrasion for contaminated titanium surfaces. Also, the surface changes caused by lasers and air-flow abrasion have not been well studied. Thus, the purpose of this study was to compare the surface changes of contaminated titanium discs following decontamination by erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er: YAG) laser irradiation and air-flow abrasion.Methods: Twenty-eight intact, sandblasted, and acid-etched (SLA) titanium discs were used. Twentyfour titanium discs were contaminated with Escherichia coli. Then, they were decontaminated by using Er: YAG laser irradiation and air-flow abrasion. Four discs remained intact. The mean and standard deviation of the contact angle and the weight percentage of aluminum, titanium, oxygen, carbon, phosphorus, and calcium were measured. Qualitative changes in surface topography of titanium discs were assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).Results: The mean weight percentage of carbon in the air-flow abrasion group (4.98%) experienced a significant reduction compared with the contaminated (positive control) group (P=0.035). The contact angles were 46.54° and 38.67° in the laser and air-flow abrasion groups respectively, which were significantly lower than the value in the positive control group (75.15°) (P ≤0.001). SEM micrographs showed no significant change in the surface area in either technique.Conclusion: Air-flow abrasion was more successful in improving the surface characteristics of titanium discs with no alteration in surface topography or elements, compared with Er: YAG laser irradiation. Further studies regarding the safety of the Er: YAG laser for the decontamination of titanium surfaces are recommended. DOI:10.34172/jlms.2021.6

Electrosprayed poly(vinyl alcohol) particles: preparation and evaluation of their drug release profile

Encapsulation of bioactive molecules within polymeric particles is a challenge, due to several limitations including low drug-loading efficiency, unwanted release profile, polydispersity and batch to batch variation in reproducibility, along with the limitations to scale up the process. It is essential to control the morphology of pure polymer particles in the first instance, in order to obtain the desired release profile of the drugs from the particles during the later stage. Here, we present the preparation of electrosprayed particles from water soluble FDA-approved polymer, namely polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as an approach towards short-term drug delivery vehicle. Through electrospraying and varying the solvent ratios, three different sizes of particles were prepared, with sizes ranging from 500 to 2000 nm. Insulin was chosen as a model bioactive molecule, and the release profile of the drug was studied after incorporation in PVA particles. Fractional release plots obtained showed short-term release of insulin, within the first 60 minutes. Release curves were analyzed according to Ritger-Peppas model, suggesting Fickian diffusion as the predominant insulin release mechanism from PVA particles. This work suggests electrosprayed PVA particles as an innovative drug delivery system for short-term administration of drugs.Fil: Felice, Betiana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Tecnología. Departamento de Bioingeniería. Laboratorio de Medios e Interfases; ArgentinaFil: Prabhakaran, Molamma P.. National University of Singapore; SingapurFil: Zamani, Maedeh. National University of Singapore; SingapurFil: Rodriguez, Andrea Paola. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Tecnología. Departamento de Bioingeniería. Laboratorio de Medios e Interfases; ArgentinaFil: Ramakrishna, Seeram. National University of Singapore; Singapu