Dissolving microneedles (DMNs) are polymeric, microscopic needles that deliver encapsulated drugs in a minimally invasive manner. Currently, DMN arrays are superimposed onto patches that facilitate their insertion into skin. However, due to wide variations in skin elasticity and the amount of hair on the skin, the arrays fabricated on the patch are often not completely inserted and large amount...

There is an urgent need to replace the injection currently used for low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) multidose therapy with a non- or minimally invasive delivery approach. In this study, laser-engineered dissolving microneedle (DMN) arrays fabricated from aqueous blends of 15% w/w poly(methylvinylether-co-maleic anhydride) were used for the first time in active transdermal delivery of the LM...

BACKGROUND Mesh hernia repair is one of the most frequently performed procedures in general surgery. Recently, use of the self-gripping mesh demonstrated a beneficial effect on postoperative pain in inguinal hernia repairs. However, in intra-abdominal placement, the use of this novel mesh requires greater laparoscopic skill and dexterity because of the mesh's tendency to fold and adhere to itse...

The impact of multiple-year (0–5 years) cultivation of transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton on the functional bacterial populations in rhizosphere soil was investigated. The transgenic Bt ? CpTI cotton line SGK321 and a non-Bt cotton line Shiyuan321 were planted in four fields in which Bt cotton had been continuously cultivated for 0, 1, 3, and 5 years. Rhizosphere soil samples were co...

INTRODUCTION A desirable characteristic of root canal irrigants is the ability of dissolving soft tissues. Sodium hypochlorite, an antibacterial and tissue solvent irrigant used in endodontic treatment is known to be toxic for periapical tissues. Chlorhexidine gluconate, an effective antimicrobial agent, is another irrigant with limited tissue dissolving ability. A mixture of a tetracycline iso...