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Martin Plencner,1,2,* Barbora East,3,* Zbynek Tonar,4 Martin Otáhal,5 Eva Prosecká,1,2 Michala Rampichová,2,6 Tomáš Krejčí,3 Andrej Litvinec,2,7 Matej Buzgo,2,6 Andrea Míčková,1,2,6 Alois Nečas,8 Jirí Hoch,3 Evžen Amler1,2,9 1Institute of Biophysics, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Prague, 2Laboratory of Tissue Engineering, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, 3Department of Surgery, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Prague, 4Biomedical Centre, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University in Prague, Pilsen, 5Department of Anatomy and Biomechanics, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University in Prague, Prague, 6University Center for Energy Efficient Buildings, Czech Technical University in Prague, Buštehrad, 7Department of Breeding and Zoohygiene of Laboratory Animals, Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, 8Department of Surgery and Orthopedics, Small Animal Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Science Brno, Central European Institute of Technology, Brno, 9Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Kladno, Czech Republic *These authors contributed equally to this work Abstract: Incisional hernia affects up to 20% of patients after abdominal surgery. Unlike other types of hernia, its prognosis is poor, and patients suffer from recurrence within 10 years of the operation. Currently used hernia-repair meshes do not guarantee success, but only extend the recurrence-free period by about 5 years. Most of them are nonresorbable, and these implants can lead to many complications that are in some cases life-threatening. Electrospun nanofibers of various polymers have been used as tissue scaffolds and have been explored extensively in the last decade, due to their low cost and good biocompatibility. Their architecture mimics the natural extracellular matrix. We tested a biodegradable polyester poly-Ԑ-caprolactone in the form of nanofibers as a scaffold for fascia healing in an abdominal closure-reinforcement model for prevention of incisional hernia formation. Both in vitro tests and an experiment on a rabbit model showed promising results. Keywords: nanofibers, growth factors, surgical mesh, hernia regeneration, in vivo

Infraglottic needle/cannula insertion and surgical approaches to the trachea are the last resort choices of providing a patent airway, oxygenation and ventilation in patients where conventional techniques have failed. The main indication, especially in anaesthesia, is "can not intubate, can not oxygenate" situation. Infraglottic approaches may be the primary technique of providing patent airways in facial trauma, tumours, swelling, or in military medicine. Teaching and regular training on cadavers or models are key elements in managing these life-saving techniques, especially because their real frequency is extremely low. This review article discusses individual techniques – cricoid puncture, cricothyrotomy and bougie-assisted cricothyrotomy, their implementation, teaching, advantages and disadvantages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is severe medical condition occurring in critically ill patients and with mortality of 33-52% is one of the leading causes of death in critically ill patients. To better understand pathophysiology of ARDS and to verify novel therapeutical approaches a reliable animal model is needed. Therefore we have developed modified lavage model of ARDS in the pig. After premedication (ketamine and midazolam) 35 healthy pigs were anesthetized (propofol, midazolam, morphin, pipecuronium) and orotracheally intubated and ventilated. Primary ARDS was induced by repeated cycles of lung lavage with a detergent Triton X100 diluted in saline (0.03%) heated to 37 °C preceded by pre-oxygenation with 100% O2. Single cycle included two subsequent lavages followed by detergent suction. Each cycle was followed by hemodynamic and ventilation stabilization for approx. 15 min, with eventual administration of vasopressors according to an arterial blood pressure. The lavage procedure was repeated until the paO2/FiO2 index after stabilization remained below 100 at PEEP 5 cm H2O. In 33 pigs we have achieved the desired degree of severe ARDS (PaO2/FiO2<100). Typical number of lavages was 2-3 (min. 1, max. 5). Hemodynamic tolerance and the need for vasopressors were strongly individual. In remaining two animals an unmanageable hypotension developed. For other subjects the experimental ARDS stability was good and allowed reliable measurement for more than 10 h. The present model of the ARDS is clinically relevant and thus it is suitable for further research of the pathophysiology and management of this serious medical condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which examines the viscoelastic properties of porcine spinal zygapophyseal joint (ZJ) using nanoscale dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The study conducted nanoDMA load controlled experiment by employing Hysitron Triboindenter™ TI 950 system and saline solution to determine the material properties of ZJ. Result shows that the transition frequency of the inflection points ranges from 90-170 Hz.