Compositionally graded bulk materials of organic polymer blends were prepared by using nonequilibrium self-organization processes with a uniaxial thermal gradient (Bridgman method). The Bridgman method was firstly applied to prepare two kinds of polymeric compositionally graded materials: a polymer/low molecular weight additive system (poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL)/ 4,49-thiodiphenol (TDP)) and a ...

The effects of replacing PCL with acrylic acid grafted PCL (PCL-g-AA) on the structure and properties of a PCL/chitosan composite were investigated. The properties of both PCL-g-AA/chitosan and PCL/chitosan were examined and compared using FTIR, H and C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and a biodegradation test. With PCL-g-AA in the composite, compatibi...

Plasma cell leukemia (PCL) is a rare disease that represents approximately 4% of plasma cell malignant disorders. PCL consists of two variants: primary PCL presents in patients with no previous history of multiple myeloma, while secondary PCL consists of a leukemic transformation in a previously recognized multiple myeloma. Primary PCL is an extremely resistant, rapidly progressive, fatal disea...

Polycaprolactone (PCL) filled with microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), wood flour (WF), or both were characterized before and after exposure to various environmental conditions for 60 days. PCL/WF composites had the greatest tensile strength and modulus compared to neat PCL or PCL composites containing MCC. Electron microscopy indicated better adhesion between WF particles and PCL than between MC...

Multidrug resistance (MDR) in tumor cells is a significant obstacle to the success of chemotherapy in many cancers. The purpose of this research is to test the possibility of docetaxel-loaded poly (e-caprolactone)/Pluronic F68 (PCL/Pluronic F68) nanoparticles to overcome MDR in docetaxel-resistance human breast cancer cell line. Docetaxel-loaded nanoparticles were prepared by modified solvent d...

The study described a novel bone tissue scaffold fabricated by computer-aided, air pressure-aided deposition system to control the macro- and microstructure precisely. The porcine bone marrow stem cells (PBMSCs) seeded on either mPEG-PCL-mPEG (PCL) or mPEG-PCL-mPEG/hydroxyapatite (PCL/HA) composite scaffold were cultured under osteogenic medium to test the ability of osteogenesis in vitro. The ...

The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is recognized as an essential stabilizer of the knee. However, the complexity of the ligament has generated controversy about its definitive role and the recommended treatment after injury. A proper understanding of the functional role of the PCL is necessary to minimize residual instability, osteoarthritic progression, and failure of additional concomitant...

Surgical reconstruction is generally recommended for posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries; however, the use of grafts is still a controversial problem. In this study, a three-dimensional finite element model of the human tibiofemoral joint with articular cartilage layers, menisci, and four main ligaments was constructed to investigate the effects of graft strengths on knee kinematics and ...

BACKGROUND Reports on outcome after posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction often contain both isolated PCL and combined knee ligament injuries. This makes it difficult to conclude on the outcome after reconstruction of isolated PCL injuries. PURPOSE To investigate the outcome after PCL reconstruction in patients with an isolated PCL injury and to compare this with the outcome of pat...

Open-bore MRI scanners allow joint soft tissue to be imaged over a large, uninterrupted range of flexion. Using an open-bore scanner, 3D para-sagittal images of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) were collected from seven healthy subjects in unloaded, recumbent knee extension and flexion. PCL length was measured from one 2D MRI slice partition per flexion angle, per subject. The anterior sur...