A highly versatile biopolymer-based platform for the maturation of human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes enables functional analysis in vitro and 3D printing of heart patches.

Human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs) represent a valuable tool for in vitro modeling of the cardiac niche and possess great potential in tissue engineering applications. However, conventional polystyrene-based cell culture substrates have adverse effects on cardiomyocytes in vitro due to the stress applied by a stiff substrate on contractile cells. Ultra-high viscosity alginates offer a unique versatility as tunable substrates for cardiac cell cultures due to their biocompatibility, flexible biofunctionalization, and stability. In this work, we analyzed the effect of alginate substrates on hPSC-CM maturity and functionality. Alginate substrates in high-throughput compatible culture formats fostered a more mature gene expression and enabled the simultaneous assessment of chronotropic and inotropic effects upon beta-adrenergic stimulation. Furthermore, we produced 3D-printed alginate scaffolds with differing mechanical properties and plated hPSC-CMs on the surface of these to create Heart Patches for tissue engineering applications. These exhibited synchronous macro-contractions in concert with more mature gene expression patterns and extensive intracellular alignment of sarcomeric structures. In conclusion, the combination of biofunctionalized alginates and human cardiomyocytes represents a valuable tool for both in vitro modeling and regenerative medicine, due to its beneficial effects on cardiomyocyte physiology, the possibility to analyze cardiac contractility, and its applicability as Heart Patches.

Occupational therapy in a community aftercare program.

The need for effective community treatment for psychiatric clients has increased in recent years. The aftercare program descirbed in this paper provides a community treatment program for adult psychiatric clients that aims at facilitatin their adequate and independent adjustment to the community. The occupational therapist functions as a case manager of the treaatment team and is also program coordinator for the arts and crafts groups and the skill development groups. The arts and crafts groups are designed primarily to meet basic mental health needs; the skill development groups are aimed at teaching independent functioning in basic living skills. The behavior rehearsal model provides the theoretical framework for the skill development groups and is an effective approach in teaching skill acquisition to clients treated in the community.