Targeting the Tumor-Draining Lymph Node With Adjuvant Nanoparticles for Cancer Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy-based approaches for cancer treatment are of increasing clinical interest. Principles of drug delivery and the emerging field of material design for immunomodulation might hold significant promise for novel approaches in cancer immunotherapy since biomaterials engineering strategies enable enhanced delivery of immune modulatory agents to tissues and cells of the immune system1. One tissue of significant clinical interest in a cancer setting is the tumor-draining lymph node (TDLN), which participates in cancer progression by enabling both metastatic dissemination as well as tumor-induced immune escape. Hence, the TDLN represents a novel target for drug delivery schemes for cancer immunotherapy. We hypothesize that targeted delivery of adjuvants (Adjs) to the TDLN using a biomaterials-based approach might promote antitumor immunity and hinder tumor growth.

Elastin-Sprayed Tubular Scaffolds With Microstructures and Nanotextures for Vascular Tissue Engineering

Development of a small-diameter vascular graft (<6 mm) have been challenging due to thrombosis and intimal hyperplasia [1]. To overcome this problem, cardiovascular tissue engineers have attempted to construct a highly porous and biocompatible fibrous scaffold providing a sufficient mechanical strength for the regeneration of a functional tissue [2–5]. Herein, we present a 3D tubular-shaped micro/nanofibrous composite-layered scaffold for vascular tissue engineering. The surface of scaffold has high surface roughness by introducing nanofibrous layer and the biophysical properties have been fulfilled by using microfibrous layer. Moreover, the atomized spraying technique is applied to spray elastin proteins, which is well known as an antithrombogenic material, on the surface of micro/nanofibrous composite-layered scaffold to introduce an appropriate antithrombogenic surface.

Effect of CPA Transmembrane Flux on Cell Volume Change During Freezing and its Application in Biopreservation

Theoretical models for prediction of cell dehydration during addition/removal of cryoprotective agents (CPAs) or during freezing sprung up like mushrooms. These models are powerful for qualitative analysis of “solution injury” or “osmotic injury”, and furthermore, optimization of the complex processes involved in cryopreservation.

Application of Residence Time Distribution Analysis in Microchannel Hemodialysis Devices

Current hemodialysis techniques rely on hollow-fiber tubes in a tube-and-shell operating approach. The method works satisfactorily; but, technological advantages of this method are already exhausted for a long time. Additional improvements are needed which could provide a way towards improving patient health and quality of life. Patients with renal failure undergo intense filtration sessions approximately three times a week leaving them fatigued. Large oscillations in concentration of various solutes within blood cause detrimental consequences on the overall health of patients.

Effects of Body Weight Modification on Internal Knee Contact Forces During Gait

Obesity is commonly considered a risk factor for the development of knee osteoarthritis [1]. Previous studies have shown that reductions in body weight correspond to reductions in total knee joint compressive forces (as calculated by inverse dynamics) [2–4]. A recent study showed that external knee load measurements are not strong predictors of internal knee contact forces [5]. Therefore, direct measurement of knee contact force is important for understanding how body weight changes impact knee joint loading. Force-measuring knee implants can directly measure internal knee contact forces [6].

Age Dependent and Anisotropic Material Properties of Immature Porcine Sclera

Current finite element (FE) models of the pediatric eye are based on adult material properties [2,3]. To date, there are no data characterizing the age dependent material properties of ocular tissues. The sclera is a major load bearing tissue and an essential component to most computational models of the eye. In preparation for the development of a pediatric FE model, age-dependent and anisotropic properties of sclera were evaluated in newborn (3–5 days) and toddler (4 weeks) pigs. Data from this study will guide future testing protocols for human pediatric specimens.

Region-Specific Medial Fiber Micro-Architecture in the Longitudinal-Radial and Circumferential-Radial Planes of Ascending Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Among Bicuspid and Tricuspid Aortic Valve Patients

Aortic dissection is a life-threatening cardiovascular emergency with a high potential for death. It usually begins with an intimal tear which permits blood to enter the wall, split the media and create a false lumen, which can reenter the true lumen or exit through the adventitia causing complete rupture. A possible mechanism for dissection of ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm (ATAA) can be the occurrence of blood pressure-induced wall stresses in excess to the adhesive strength between the degenerated aortic wall layers.

Nycthemeral Rhythm of the Frequency and Biomechanical Energy of High Frequency Intraocular Pressure Fluctuations

The optic nerve head (ONH) is the site of insult in glaucoma, the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. Intraocular pressure (IOP) is commonly regarded as a major factor in the onset and progression of the disease1 and lowering IOP is the only clinical treatment that has been shown to retard the onset and progression of glaucoma2. However, many patients continue to progress even at an epidemiologically-determined normal level of IOP3. This suggests that in addition to the mean value of IOP, IOP fluctuations could be a factor in glaucomatous pathophysiology. The importance of low frequency fluctuations of clinically-measured mean IOP remains controversial. These studies all rely on snapshot measurements of mean IOP at each time point, and those measurements are taken at relatively infrequent intervals (hourly at the most frequent, but usually monthly or longer). Recently however, there has been some interest in ocular pulse amplitude, or the fluctuation in IOP associated with the cardiac cycle, which can be measured by Dynamic Contour Tonometry (DCT). DCT provides continuous measurement of IOP, but only for a period of tens of seconds in which a patient can tolerate corneal contact without blinking or eye movement, which ironically are two of the most common sources of large high frequency IOP fluctuations according to our telemetric data collected from monkeys4 and previous human studies. In a recent report, continuous IOP telemetry was used in three nonhuman primates to characterize IOP dynamics at multiple time scales for multiple 24-hour periods5.

Skin Perfusion, Arterial and Venous Blood Flow, and Soft Tissue Thickness in Relation to Pressure Ulcers

Pressure ulcers have been a concern in healthcare settings, with more than 50% of bedridden or wheelchair-bound patients being affected [1]. Pressure ulcers typically occur on a region of the body that experiences forces from an external structure (e.g. bed, wheelchair). Researchers believe that such forces cause a decrease in blood flow, which results in tissue necrosis, causing pressure ulcers [2].

Uvula Dynamic Characteristics

The airway binary fluid layer and the structural characteristics of the upper airways have significant influence on the activity of the airway muscles by changing airway compliance and collapsibility during obstructive sleep apnea trauma. The uvula plays an important role in the collapse process. Using MRI scans, this paper develops a structural model for the uvula and determines its dynamic characteristics in terms of natural frequencies and mode shapes as a preliminary process to determine optimum conditions to therapeutically relieve upper airway obstruction. The effect of the variation of tissue elasticity due to water content is elaborated on.