Performance characterization and biocompatibility assessment of silicone polyurethanes for polymer heart valve applications.

Silicone polyurethanes have gained widespread application in the biomedical field due to their excellent biocompatibility. This study comprehensively investigates four silicone polyurethane materials suitable for polymer heart valves, each exhibiting distinct chemical compositions and structural characteristics, leading to significant differences, particularly in mechanical performance and biocompatibility. Surface analysis reveals an elevated surface silicon element content in all materials compared to the bulk, indicating a migration of silicon elements towards the surface, providing a structural basis for enhancing biological stability and biocompatibility. However, higher silicon content leads to a decrease in mechanical performance, potentially resulting in mechanical failure and rupture in artificial heart valves. Concerning biocompatibility, an increase in silicone content diminishes the material's adsorption capability for cells and proteins, consequently improving its biocompatibility and biological stability. In summary, while high silicone content leads to a reduction in mechanical performance, the formation of a "silicon protective layer" on the material surface mitigates cell and protein adsorption, thereby enhancing biocompatibility and biological stability. Through comprehensive testing of the four silicone polyurethane materials, this study aims to provide insightful perspectives and methods for selecting materials suitable for polymer heart valves. Additionally, the thorough performance exploration of these materials serves as a crucial reference for the performance assessment and biocompatibility research of polymeric artificial heart valve materials.

Refractory Infection After Internal Fixation for Rib Fractures.

The infection of internal fixation devices of rib fractures is rare, but it is usually severe when it occurs. Existing literature indicates that removal of infected hardware is essential for the clearance of refractory infection. We report a rare case of a patient who accepted operation for rib fractures; however, his hardware infection was not controlled after the removal of internal fixation devices, until the necrotic ribs were removed by the third operation.

Improvement of oral availability of ginseng fruit saponins by a proliposome delivery system containing sodium deoxycholate.

Ginseng fruit saponins (GFS) extracted from the ginseng fruit are the bioactive triterpenoid saponin components. The aim of the present study was to develop a drug delivery system called proliposome using sodium deoxycholate (NaDC) as a bile salt to improve the oral bioavailability of GFS in rats. The liposomes of GFS were prepared by a conventional ethanol injection and formed the solid proliposomes (P-GFS) using spray drying method on mannitol carriers. The formulation of P-GFS was optimized using the response surface methodology. The physicochemical properties of liposome suspensions including encapsulation efficiency, in vitro drug release studies, particle size of the reconstituted liposome were tested. The solid state characterization studies using the method of Field emission-scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Differential scanning colorimetric (DSC) were tested to study the molecular state of P-GFS and to indicate the interactions among the formulation ingredients. In vitro studies showed a delayed release of ginsenoside Re (GRe). In vivo studies were carried out in rats. The concentrations of GRe in plasma of rats and its pharmacokinetic behaviors after oral administration of GFS, Zhenyuan tablets (commercial dosage form of GFS) and P-GFS were studied using ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. It was founded that the GRe concentration time curves of GFS, Zhenyuan tablets and P-GFS were much more different in rats. Pharmacokinetic behaviors of P-GFS showed a second absorption peak on the concentration time curve. The pharmacokinetic parameters of GFS, Zhenyuan tablets, P-GFS in rats were separately listed as follows: T max 0.25 h, C max 474.96 ± 66.06 ng/ml and AUC0-∞ 733.32 ± 113.82 ng/ml h for GFS; T max 0.31 ± 0.043 h, C max 533.94 ± 106.54 ng/ml and AUC0-∞ 1151.38 ± 198.29 ng/ml h for Zhenyuan tablets; T max 0.5 h, C max 680.62 ± 138.051 ng/ml and AUC0-∞ 2082.49 ± 408.33 ng/ml h for the P-GFS. The bioavailability of P-GFS was nearly 284% and 181% of the GFS and Zhengyuan tablets respectively. In conclusion, the proliposomes significantly enhanced the drug bioavailability, absorption in the gastrointestinal tract and decreased its elimination time of GRe in rats and could be selectively applied for oral delivery of GFS.

c-Jun transactivates Puma gene expression to promote osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint disorder in which genetic, hormonal, mechanical and ageing factors affect its progression. Current studies are focusing on chondrocytes as a key mediator of OA at a cellular level. however, the mechanism underlying chondrocyte apoptosis remains unclear. PUMA is a pro-apoptotic member of the BH3-only subgroup of the Bcl-2 family and is involved in a large number of physiological and pathological processes. In the present study, we examined whether PUMA has a role in IL-1ß-induced apoptosis and whether the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/c-Jun pathway mediates the induction of PUMA, thus contributing to chondrocyte apoptosis. The results demonstrated an increase in PUMA protein and mRNA levels in cultured mouse chondrocytes following 4 h of IL-1ß treatment. Furthermore, this upregulation of PUMA was critical for chondrocyte apoptosis as knockdown of PUMA using PUMA-specific siRNA significantly reduced apoptosis in cultured cells. Upon pharmacological inhibition of the JNK/c-Jun pathway with CE11004 or SP600125, the expression of PUMA was notably suppressed with a concomitant decrease in apoptosis observed in IL-1ß-treated chondrocytes. Also, immunohistochemical studies revealed that the PUMA and c-Jun proteins were upregulated in chondrocytes from the articular cartilage of OA patients. Together, these data suggest a role for PUMA and the JNK/c-Jun pathway in the regulation of chondrocyte apoptosis during OA.