Three Dimensional Printing Bilayer Membrane Scaffold Promotes Wound Healing.

Full-thickness skin wounds are common and could be a heavy physical and economic burden. With the development of three dimensional (3D) printing technology, skin-like constructs have been fabricated for skin wound healing and regeneration. Although the 3D printed skin has great potential and enormous advantages before vascular networks can be well-constructed, living cells are not recommended for 3D skin printing for in vivo applications. Herein, we designed and printed a bilayer membrane (BLM) scaffold consisting of an outer poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) membrane and a lower alginate hydrogel layer, which respectively mimicked the skin epidermis and dermis. The multi-porous alginate hydrogel of the BLM scaffolds promoted cell adhesion and proliferation in vitro, while the PLGA membrane prevented bacterial invasion and maintained the moisture content of the hydrogel. Skin regeneration using the bilayer scaffold was compared with that of PLGA, alginate hydrogel and the untreated defect in vivo. Tissue samples were analyzed using histopathological and immunohistochemical staining of CD31. In addition, mRNA expression levels of collagen markers [collagen type 1 alpha 1 (COL1a1) and collagen type 3 alpha 1 (COL3a1)] and inflammatory markers [interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), as well as tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α)] were measured. Conclusively, the application of BLM scaffold resulted in highest levels of best skin regeneration by increasing neovascularization and boosting collagen I/III deposition. Taken together, the 3D-printed BLM scaffolds can promote wound healing, and are highly suitable for a wide range of applications as wound dressings or skin substitutes.

Overexpression of Glypican 3 Promotes Proliferation, Regulates Cell Cycle Progression, and Inhibits Apoptosis of Human Fetal Osteoblastic Cell Line 1.19.

Craniosynostosis is a complex disease condition, which involves premature fusion of cranial vault sutures and lacks desirable treatment. Previous studies have demonstrated decreased proliferation rate of osteoblasts and downregulated expression of glypican 3 (GPC3) in syndromic craniosynostosis patients. In this study, quantitative and qualitative analysis were utilized to assess the effect of GPC3 in human fetal osteoblastic cell line, hFOB 1.19. Lentiviral transfection efficiency with green fluorescent protein images was obtained after 72 hours. Western Blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis results indicated that GPC3 was overexpressed in hFOB 1.19 cells transfected with recombinant lentivirus LV-GPC3-GFP. Cell proliferation was assessed by CCK-8 assay and cell cycle progression and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometric assay. Results revealed that GPC3 promoted cell viability, induced cell cycle entry into S phase, and inhibited cell apoptosis. These findings provide novel ideas in understanding the pathogenesis of craniosynostosis. It also provides novel insights in the treatment of craniosynostosis by targeting GPC3.

Early Complications and Associated Perioperative Factors in Nonsyndromic Craniosynostosis.

This is the first Eastern center-based retrospective report on early complications and associated perioperative factors of nonsyndromic craniosynostosis (NSC). The authors' purpose is to tailor preoperative counseling, convey objective perioperative data, and determinants for early complications in NSC so as to enhance exchanges with international center. Inclusion criteria required a diagnosis of NSC confirmed by 3-dimentional computed tomography scans and complete medical record. Genetic evidence of syndromic craniosynostosis was excluded. Study population was divided into 4 groups based on the suture involvement, which were compared with respect to demographics, perioperative factors, and the occurrence of complications. Demographic data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Categorical variables were analyzed using the Fisher exact test. Continuous variables were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. To better study key determinants for early complications, regression analysis was performed. It revealed a predominance of sagittal (n = 36) throughout the time period studied. Eastern China (n = 33) and Southwest China (n = 13) were the top 2 districts where patients came. The authors also reported an overall rate of early complication of 80% (n = 52). The most common were pyrexia (n = 50). Blood loss was a risk (P = 0.041; OR, 1.102); meanwhile, transfusion of concentrated red blood cells was a higher risk (P = 0.035; OR, 2.033). This study represents the authors' initial 4 years practice in NSC. The authors are endeavoring to enhance exchanges with Western centers.