Comparison of laryngeal morbidities with modified reinforced silicone tube intubation guided over a bougie vs. a guidewire: novel assessment with voice analysis.

Semi-rigid flexible introducer-guided tracheal intubation is associated with pharyngolaryngeal morbidities. We compared the practice of railroading a newly described modified reinforced silicone tracheal tube with a built-in guide channel in its wall over a non-kinking guidewire with railroading the same tube over a disposable bougie, with respect to pharyngolaryngeal morbidities. One hundred and twenty-four ASA 1 and 2 adults were randomly assigned to undergo bougie-guided (n = 62) or wire-guided (n = 62) intubation under general anaesthesia. All patients were assessed for postoperative pharyngolaryngeal complaints. In addition, voice parameters (fundamental frequency, shimmer, jitter and harmonic noise ratio) with vowels 'a' and 'i' were analysed pre-operatively and 24 h postoperatively. The success of first-attempt intubation and the associated haemodynamic response were also recorded. A higher incidence of pharyngolaryngeal complaints was seen in the bougie group, 48.3%, 95%CI (35.9-60.9%) when compared with wire-guided group 28.3%, 95%CI (18.0-40.6%), p = 0.01. Postoperatively, all the voice parameters were significantly more affected when compared with their pre-operative value in the bougie-guided group (p < 0.05) but not in the wire-guided group. The success of first-attempt intubation was similar in both groups. Wire-guided orotracheal intubation was associated with a lower incidence of pharyngolaryngeal complaints and effect on voice when compared with bougie-guided intubation.

Hierarchical patterning of hydrogels by replica molding of impregnated breath figures leads to superoleophobicity.

The surface chemistry and topography govern the spreading of liquids on a solid. When an oil drop makes a contact angle, θ > 90° on a solid surface, the solid is termed as oleophobic. Adding roughness to an inherently oleophobic surface enhances its oil dewetting and can lead to superoleophobicity when θ > 150°. In this study, we introduce the concept of a two-tier hierarchical roughness on the surface of soft materials such as hydrogels by forming the patterned inverse replica of breath figure polymer films impregnated with nanoparticles. The directed deposition of nanoparticles in the breath figure pores is accomplished by an aerosol assisted technique that exclusively leads to deposition within the pores and filling of the pores. The inverse replica of such impregnated films exhibits a close packed hexagonally structured second tier of surface roughness which directly leads to a superoleophobic surface. Since these structures have well defined geometries, it is possible to estimate the contact angle by assuming a partial wetting of the oil drop in a 'fakir' state on the rough surface. The estimation is in good agreement with the experimental contact angle value. While the work demonstrates a facile method to impart superoleophobicity to a hydrogel surface, it also demonstrates new methods to imbue breath figure pores with functional materials that can be easily transferred to the pores of the inverse replica.

Spatially directed vesicle capture in the ordered pores of breath-figure polymer films.

This work describes a new method to selectively capture liposomes and other vesicle entities in the patterned pores of breath-figure polymer films. The process involves the deposition of a hydrophobe containing biopolymer in the pores of the breath figure, and the tethering of vesicles to the biopolymer through hydrophobic interactions. The process is versatile, can be scaled up and extended to the deposition of other functional materials in the pores of breath figures.

Fenofibrate subcellular distribution as a rationale for the intracranial delivery through biodegradable carrier.

Fenofibrate, a well-known normolipidemic drug, has been shown to exert strong anticancer effects against tumors of neuroectodermal origin including glioblastoma. Although some pharmacokinetic studies were performed in the past, data are still needed about the detailed subcellular and tissue distribution of fenofibrate (FF) and its active metabolite, fenofibric acid (FA), especially in respect to the treatment of intracranial tumors. We used high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to elucidate the intracellular, tissue and body fluid distribution of FF and FA after oral administration of the drug to mice bearing intracranial glioblastoma. Following the treatment, FF was quickly cleaved to FA by blood esterases and FA was detected in the blood, urine, liver, kidney, spleen and lungs. We have also detected small amounts of FA in the brains of two out of six mice, but not in the brain tumor tissue. The lack of FF and FA in the intracranial tumors prompted us to develop a new method for intracranial delivery of FF. We have prepared and tested in vitro biodegradable poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) polymer wafers containing FF, which could ultimately be inserted into the brain cavity following resection of the brain tumor. HPLC-based analysis demonstrated a slow and constant diffusion of FF from the wafer, and the released FF abolished clonogenic growth of glioblastoma cells. On the intracellular level, FF and FA were both present in the cytosolic fraction. Surprisingly, we also detected FF, but not FA in the cell membrane fraction. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy applied to spin-labeled phospholipid model-membranes revealed broadening of lipid phase transitions and decrease of membrane polarity induced by fenofibrate. Our results indicate that the membrane-bound FF could contribute to its exceptional anticancer potential in comparison to other lipid-lowering drugs, and advocate for intracranial delivery of FF in the combined pharmacotherapy against glioblastoma.