The impact of non-deproteinization on physicochemical and biological properties of natural rubber latex for biomedical applications.

Latex is a colloidal suspension derived from the Hevea brasiliensis tree, derived from natural rubber, poly(isoprene), and assorted constituents including proteins and phospholipids. These constituents are inherent to both natural rubber and latex serum. This investigation was undertaken to examine the impact of the deproteinization process on chemical and biological dynamics of natural rubber latex. Natural Rubber (NR) extracted from the pure latex (LNCP) was obtained through centrifugation, followed by six rounds of solvent purification (LP6). The structure was characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), swelling test, surface zeta potential (ζ), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and in vitro assay. The results revealed that the LP6 group presented decreased swelling kinetics, reduced cell adhesion and proliferation, and a smoother surface with decreased negative surface charge. Conversely, the LNCP group shown accelerated swelling, heightened adhesion and cellular growth, and a more negatively charged and rougher surface. As such, the attributes of latex serum and proteins have potential usage across numerous biomedical applications.

Quality improvement tools to manage deceased organ donation processes: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: To collate and summarise the literature on the quality improvement tools that have been developed for deceased organ donation processes after circulatory determination of death and neurological determination of death. DESIGN: Scoping review using the Joanna Briggs Institute framework. DATA SOURCES: We searched for published (MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science) and unpublished literature (organ donation organisation websites worldwide). The search was initially conducted on 17 July 2021 and updated on 1 June 2022. Included articles discussed the creation and/or use of quality improvement tools to manage deceased organ donation processes. Two independent reviewers screened the references, extracted and analysed the data. RESULTS: 40 references were included in this review, and most records were written in English (n=38), originated in Canada (n=21), published between 2016 and 2022 (n=22), and were specific for donation after neurological determination of death (n=20). The tools identified included checklists, algorithms, flow charts, charts, pathways, decision tree maps and mobile apps. These tools were applied in the following phases of the organ donation process: (1) potential donor identification, (2) donor referral, (3) donor assessment and risk, (4) donor management, (5) withdrawal of life-sustaining measures, (6) death determination, (7) organ retrieval and (8) overall organ donation process. CONCLUSIONS: We conducted a thorough investigation of the available quality improvement tools for deceased organ donation processes. The existing evidence lacks details in the report of methods used for development, testing and impact of these tools, and we could not locate tools specific for some phases of the organ donation process. Lastly, by mapping existing tools, we aim to facilitate both clinician choices among available tools, as well as research work building on existing knowledge.

Bioprinting: From Technique to Application in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine.

Among the different approaches present in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, the one that has attracted the most interest in recent years is the possibility of printing functional biological tissues. Bioprinting is a technique that has been applied to create cellularized three-dimensional structures that mimic biological tissues and thus allow their replacement. Hydrogels are interesting materials for this type of technique. Hydrogels based on natural polymers are known due to their biocompatible properties, in addition to being attractive biomaterials for cell encapsulation. They provide a threedimensional aqueous environment with biologically relevant chemical and physical signals, mimicking the natural environment of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Bioinks are ink formulations that allow the printing of living cells. The controlled deposition of biomaterials by bioinks needs to maintain cell viability and offer specific biochemical and physical stimuli capable of guiding cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation. In this work, we analyze the theoretical and practical issues of bioprinting, citing currently used methods, their advantages, and limitations. We present some important molecules that have been used to compose bioinks, as well as the cellular responses that have been observed in different tissues. Finally, we indicate future perspectives of the method.

Tissue Engineering Applied to Skeletal Muscle: Strategies and Perspectives.

Muscle tissue is formed by elongated and contractile cells with specific morphofunctional characteristics. Thus, it is divided into three basic types: smooth muscle tissue, cardiac striated muscle tissue and skeletal striated muscle tissue. The striated skeletal muscle tissue presents high plasticity, regeneration and growth capacity due to the presence of satellite cells, quiescent myoblasts that are activated in case of injury to the tissue and originate new muscle fibers when they differentiate. In more severe deficiencies or injuries there is a loss of their regenerative capacity, thus compromising the body's functionality at different levels. Tissue engineering studies the development of biomaterials capable of stimulating the recovery of cellular activity in injured body tissues, as well as the activity of cells with muscle differentiation potential in injury repair. However, the need for three-dimensional re-assembly in a complex organization makes it difficult to mimic this tissue and fully regenerate it for the sake of precise and effective movements. Thus, this article aims to provide a narrative review of tissue engineering strategies applied to the regeneration of skeletal muscle, in a critical evaluation of research, whether aimed at injury or atrophies such as spinal muscular atrophy.

Quality improvement tools to manage deceased organ donation processes: A scoping review protocol.

AIM: To collate and summarize the literature on what quality improvement tools have been developed on safety of deceased organ donation processes for donation after circulatory determination of death and neurological determination of death. BACKGROUND: The increasing organ shortage requires that organ donation organizations take preventive measures to improve their processes and maximize organ donation opportunities. Quality improvement tools can be used to facilitate daily activities, prevent errors and enhance organ donation processes. Still, there is a paucity of comprehensive evidence around the use of these strategies to manage organ donation processes. METHODS: Scoping review methodology according to the Joanna Briggs Institute framework. We will search MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science - Science Citation Index and Social Science Citation Index and Academic Search Complete. We will also conduct a web search of Google and request unpublished material (e.g., institutional protocols and quality improvement tools) from key stakeholders in the organ donation field worldwide and we will consider reports dated after 2000. Two independent reviewers will screen the literature against the inclusion criteria, extract data according to the data extraction tool and perform descriptive analysis. Results will be assembled, summarized and presented through tabular form accompanied by a narrative summary to answer the review question. EXPECTED RESULTS: Results from this scoping review will be used to develop and update quality improvement tools in decease organ donation, will be used to guide the second phase of a study aiming at developing a set of quality improvement tools to decease organ donation process, as well as these results can be used to inform future policy development in deceased organ donation.

Métodos avançados para tratamento de queimaduras: uma revisão / Advanced methods for the treatment of burns: a review / Métodos avanzados para el tratamiento de quemaduras: una revisión

Introdução: As lesões cutâneas por queimadura são consideradas uma das causas frequentes de mortalidade e grave incapacidade em longo prazo. Visando a reabilitação desses indivíduos, materiais biocompatíveis destinam-se a mimetizar a matriz extracelular em um microambiente para o crescimento de células in vitro. Objetivo: Apresentar metodologias desenvolvidas no tratamento de lesões de pele. Método: Trata-se de uma revisão narrativa na qual o levantamento bibliográfico deu-se por fontes de evidência primária e secundária, tais como: Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina dos Estados Unidos da América (MEDLINE) via PubMed e SciVerse Scopus. Como complementaridade na pesquisa, livros e endereço eletrônico de associações médicas-científicas e governamentais correspondentes a publicações dos últimos cinco anos foram utilizados. Resultados: Verificaram-se diferentes possibilidades para o tratamento de lesões de pele. Dentre as quais, o desenvolvimento de "Materiais Inteligentes" e sua interação com o tecido biológico numa leitura simultânea de biomarcadores capazes de replicar funções de órgãos seria auspicioso, em um sistema de cultura dinâmico e tecnologia futurista. Conclusão: Técnicas promissoras avançam no desenvolvimento de substitutos de pele funcionais em sua organização multiescalar

Introduction: Cutaneous burn injuries are considered one of the frequent causes of mortality and severe long-term disability. Aiming at the rehabilitation of these individuals, biocompatible materials are intended to mimic the extracellular matrix through a microenvironment for cell growth in vitro. Objective: To present methodologies developed in the treatment of skin lesions. Methods: This is a narrative review which was based on primary and secondary evidence sources, such as: National Library of Medicine of the United States of America (MEDLINE) through PubMed and SciVerse Scopus. As a complement to the research, books and electronic address of medical-scientific and governmental associations corresponding to publications of the last five years were used. Results: There were different possibilities for the treatment of skin lesions. Among them, the development of "Intelligent Materials" and their interaction with biological tissue in a simultaneous reading of biomarkers capable of replicating organ functions would be auspicious, in a dynamic culture system and futuristic technology. Conclusion: Promising techniques advance towards the development of functional skin substitutes in their multiscalar organization

Introducción: Las lesiones cutáneas resueltas de quemaduras son consideradas una de las causas frecuentes de mortalidad y grave incapacidad a largo plazo. Visando la rehabilitación clínica de estos individuos, los materiales biocompatibles se destinan a mimetizar la matriz extracelular a través de un microambiente para el crecimiento de células in vitro. Objetivo: Exponer metodologías desarrolladas en el tratamiento de lesiones de piel. Método: Se trata de una revisión narrativa donde el levantamiento bibliográfico se dio por fuentes de evidencia primaria y secundaria, tales como: la Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina de los Estados Unidos de América (MEDLINE) vía PubMed y SciVerse Scopus. Como complementariedad en la investigación, libros y los sitios en internet de asociaciones médicas-científicas y gubernamentales correspondientes a publicaciones de los últimos cinco años se utilizaron. Resultados: Se verificaron diferentes posibilidades para el tratamiento de lesiones de piel. Entre las cuales, el desarrollo de "Materiales Inteligentes" y su interacción con el tejido biológico en una lectura simultánea de biomarcadores capaces de replicar funciones de órganos sería auspicioso, en un sistema de cultura dinámica y tecnología futurista. Conclusión: Técnicas prometedoras avanzan en el desarrollo de sustitutos de piel funcionales en su organización multiescalar.