Development of a stent capable of the controlled release of basic fibroblast growth factor and argatroban to treat cerebral aneurysms: In vitro experiment and evaluation in a rabbit aneurysm model

Animal model contributes to the development of intracranial aneurysm: A bibliometric analysis

Introduction

Studies on intracranial aneurysms (IAs) using animal models have evolved for decades. This study aimed to analyze major contributors and trends in IA-related animal research using bibliometric analysis.

Methods

IA-related animal studies were retrieved from the Web of Science database. Microsoft Excel 2010, GraphPad Prism 6, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace were used to collect and analyze the characteristics of this field.

Results

A total of 273 publications were retrieved. All publications were published between 1976 and 2021, and the peak publication year is 2019. Rat model were used in most of the publications, followed by mice and rabbits. Japan (35.5%), the United States (30.0%), and China (20.1%) were the top three most prolific countries. Although China ranks third in the number of publications, it still lacks high-quality articles and influential institutions. Stroke was the most prolific journal that accepted publications related to IA research using animal models. Circulation has the highest impact factor with IA-related animal studies. Hashimoto N contributed the largest number of articles. Meng hui journal published the first and second highest cited publications. The keywords “subarachnoid hemorrhage,” “macrophage,” “rupture,” “mice,” “elastase,” “gene,” “protein,” “proliferation,” and “risk factors” might be a new trend for studying IA-related animal research.

Conclusions

Japan and the Unites States contributed the most to IA–related animal studies, in terms of both researchers and institutions. Although China ranks third in terms of the number of publications, it should strengthen the quality of its publications. Researchers should pay attention to the latest progress of Stroke, Journal of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery, and Circulation for their high-quality IA-related animal studies. Using animal IA models, especially mice, to investigate the molecular mechanisms of IA may be the frontier topic now and in future.

Endovascular Treatment of Ruptured Wide-Necked Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysms Using a Low-Profile Visualized Intraluminal Support (LVIS) Device

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of low-profile visualized intraluminal support (LVIS) stent-assisted coiling for the treatment of ruptured wide-necked anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysms.

Methods: The clinical and angiographic data of 31 acutely ruptured wide-necked ACoA aneurysms treated with LVIS stent-assisted coiling between January 2014 and December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: All stents were successfully deployed. The immediate angiographic results were modified Raymond-Roy class I in 27 cases, modified Raymond-Roy class II in 2 cases, and modified Raymond-Roy class IIIa in 2 cases. Intraoperative thrombosis and postoperative aneurysmal rebleeding occurred in one case each. Two patients (6.5%) who were admitted due to poor clinical grade conditions died during hospital admission as a result of initial bleeding. Angiographic follow-up (mean: 12.9 months) was performed for 26 patients, the results of which demonstrated that 25 aneurysms were completely occluded and one was class II. The last clinical follow-up (mean: 25.3 months) outcomes demonstrated that 27 patients had favorable clinical outcomes and two had poor clinical outcomes.

Conclusion: LVIS stent-assisted coiling for ruptured wide-necked ACoA aneurysms was safe and effective, with a relatively low rate of perioperative complications and a high rate of complete occlusion at follow-up.

Polylactide-based stent coatings: biodegradable polymeric coatings capable of maintaining sustained release of the thrombolytic enzyme streptokinase

The paper describes synthesis and testing of novel biodegradable polylactide-based polymer membranes with desired mechanical properties, which are capable of sustained and directed release of biomacromolecules with high molecular weight (in particular, streptokinase; m.w. 47 kDa). Streptokinase is a pharmaceutical agent, possessing a pronounced thrombolytic activity. The membranes synthesized had a percentage elongation of 2–11% and tensile strength of 25–85 MPa. They were biodegradable – yet being stored in aqueous media in the absence of biological objects, would be dissolved by no more than 10% in 6 months. The synthesized membranes were capable of controlled release of streptokinase into the intercellular space, with the enzyme retaining more than 90% of its initial activity. The rate of streptokinase release from the membranes varied from 0.01 to 0.04 mg/day per cm2 of membrane surface. The membrane samples tested in the work did not have any short-term toxic effects on the cells growing de novo on the membrane surface. The mitotic index of those cells was approximately 1.5%, and the number of non-viable cells on the surface of the polymer films did not exceed 3–4% of their total amount. The implantation of the synthesized polymers – as both individual films and coatings of nitinol stents – was not accompanied by any postoperative complications. The subsequent histological examination revealed no abnormalities. Two months after the implantation of polymer films, only traces of polylactide were found in the implant-surrounding tissues. The implantation of stents coated with streptokinase-containing polymers resulted in the formation of a mature and thick connective-tissue capsules. Thus, the polylactide membranes synthesized and tested in this work are biodegradable, possess the necessary mechanical properties and are capable of sustained and directed release of streptokinase macromolecules.

Recent Advances in Bioplastics: Application and Biodegradation

The success of oil-based plastics and the continued growth of production and utilisation can be attributed to their cost, durability, strength to weight ratio, and eight contributions to the ease of everyday life. However, their mainly single use, durability and recalcitrant nature have led to a substantial increase of plastics as a fraction of municipal solid waste. The need to substitute single use products that are not easy to collect has inspired a lot of research towards finding sustainable replacements for oil-based plastics. In addition, specific physicochemical, biological, and degradation properties of biodegradable polymers have made them attractive materials for biomedical applications. This review summarises the advances in drug delivery systems, specifically design of nanoparticles based on the biodegradable polymers. We also discuss the research performed in the area of biophotonics and challenges and opportunities brought by the design and application of biodegradable polymers in tissue engineering. We then discuss state-of-the-art research in the design and application of biodegradable polymers in packaging and emphasise the advances in smart packaging development. Finally, we provide an overview of the biodegradation of these polymers and composites in managed and unmanaged environments.