Abstract: The present disclosure relates to biodegradable ureteral stents comprising an anti-cancer drug, and to a composition for use in medicine that may be used to ensure patency of a channel, namely a mammal ureter, for example, an obstructed ureter by a urinary stone, neoplasia or by a surgical procedure. The biodegradable ureteral stents (BUS) disclosed in the present disclosure unexpectedly allow a proper release of anti-cancer drugs, thus extending the duration of the treatment and increasing the efficacy of the treatment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a melanoidin product, the process comprising: a) an extraction step in which coffee grounds are treated with an extraction agent with a pH value greater than 7 to extract a melanoidin-containing solute in a fluid phase of the extraction agent; b) a first separation step in which the fluid phase is separated from the coffee grounds; c) a precipitation step in which the fluid phase is contacted (i) with an acid to obtain an acidic mixture with a pH value lower than 4 or (ii) with an organic phase separation agent and with an acid to obtain a mixture with a pH value in the range of from 4 to 8, thereby forming precipitates containing melanoidin; and d) a second separation step in which the formed precipitates are separated from the acidic mixture. The invention further relates to melanoidin nanoparticles and melanoidin nanofibers obtained from coffee grounds.

Abstract: The use of tocotrienols in medicine, veterinary or cosmetics, namely through the stabilization of tocotrienols, in particular in cosmetic formulations without hampering its functions in the skin is provided. In particular, the modification of tocotrienols with nicotinic acid results in the stabilization of the molecule and the penetration profile in human skin. The compounds and composition of are useful in medicine, veterinary or cosmetic industry namely in the prevention, therapy or treatment of skin diseases, skin disorders, or as a therapy or treatment of acne, seborrheic dermatitis or as an anti-aging agent.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an ostomy device for manually controlling the release and collection of bodily waste from an external stoma of a subject. The ostomy device includes a collapsible collecting bag; a first base plate for encircling the stoma; a second base plate having an opening and connected to the collecting bag such that bodily waste can flow through the first base plate and the opening of the second base plate into the collecting bag; a valve for releasing intra-abdominal gas into an exterior of the device; and a cap for closing and for opening the device comprising an inward side for closing onto the second base plate. The valve comprises a valve member for closing the valve, which is openable by pressure applied in a direction towards the subject skin. The present disclosure also relates to an ostomy system including the aforesaid medical device.

Abstract: The use of tocotrienols in medicine, veterinary or cosmetics, namely through the stabilization of tocotrienols, in particular in cosmetic formulations without hampering its functions in the skin is provided. In particular, the modification of tocotrienols with nicotinic acid results in the stabilization of the molecule and the penetration profile in human skin. The compounds and composition of are useful in medicine, veterinary or cosmetic industry namely in the prevention, therapy or treatment of skin diseases, skin disorders, or as a therapy or treatment of acne, seborrheic dermatitis or as an anti-aging agent.

Abstract: An implantable ureteral stent for implanting in the ureter comprising a first end for placing in the renal pelvis and a second end for placing in the bladder, each said end including a pressure sensor arranged to measure urinary pressure. Each pressure sensor can include an electronic circuit with electronic components and a substrate for receiving the electronic circuit and electronic components, wherein said substrate is a flexible membrane. The flexible membrane can be a sleeve surrounding the stent or the flexible membrane can be a flexible tube that is part of a thin tube that forms the stent, in particular the flexible membrane may have a thickness of 80-150 ?m. The electronic components can be connected by wire-bonding. Each pressure sensor can have a flexible PCB having soldered electronic components. A manufacturing method is disclosed to make said implantable ureteral stent.

Abstract: An implantable biliary or pancreatic stent for implanting in the gastrointestinal tract having a first end for placing in the bile duct or the pancreatic duct and a second end for placing in the duodenum, the first end including a pressure sensor arranged to measure bile duct or pancreatic duct pressure, respectively, and the second end including a pressure sensor arranged to measure duodenal pressure. Each pressure sensor can include an electronic circuit with electronic components and a substrate for receiving the electronic circuit and electronic components, wherein said substrate is a flexible membrane. The flexible membrane can be a sleeve surrounding the stent, or the flexible membrane can be a flexible tube that is part of a thin tube that forms the stent, in particular the flexible membrane can have a thickness of 80-150 ?m. A manufacturing method is disclosed for providing said implantable biliary or pancreatic stent.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a hydrogel fibre comprising an ionic hydrogel and a second component in a plurality of compartments, wherein the second component is selected from a second hydrogel, a hydrophilic solution, or a mixture thereof. It is also disclosed the method to obtain the aforesaid hydrogel fibres. This disclosure also relates to a composition comprising the hydrogel fibres and a suitable carrier, and an article/kit, a bundle, a mesh or a membrane comprising the hydrogel fibre. A composition comprising an ionic hydrogel and a second component for use in medicine administered in a hydrogel fibre comprising a plurality of compartments is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a composition for the use in the fields of cancer, immunotherapy and biotechnology. Particularly it relates to the field of gellan gum hydrogel-like particles for artificial antigen presentation in immunotherapy.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to enzymatic and redox responsive polymeric micelle, its method of production as well as its uses. Specifically, use of the enzymatic- and redox-responsive polymeric micelle for drug delivery.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a silk-fibroin ink suitable for 3D printing. The ink for 3D printing now disclosed may be used in chemical and pharma industries, medicine, engineering, manufacturing namely for the production of capsules, fibres, membranes, particles, scaffolds, medical devices, microfluidic devices and patient-specific implants.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a hydrogel comprising: hyaluronic acid, and liposomes physically crosslinked to hyaluronic acid, wherein said hydrogel encapsulates a cell type or a plurality of cell types. The hydrogel of the present disclosure shows a positive therapeutic effect in the treatment or therapy of multiple sclerosis. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a hydrogel and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient/carrier are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a composition for the release of the bioactive substance comprising: sucrose acetate isobutyrate dissolved in an ionic liquid and an additive selected from the list consisting of: chitin, silk fibroin, cellulose, alginate, chitosan, gellan gum, dextrin, collagen, guar gum, carregeenan, heparin, kefiran, or mixtures thereof. By taking advantage of the properties of an ionic liquid (IL), in particular 1-butyl-imidazolium acetate (BMIMAc), it was possible to achieve a good dissolution of SAIB, which combined with chitin and/or silk, natural polymers, allows the development of the structures with different shape and sizes.

Abstract: Stents and methods for producing stents are provided. The stent includes a polymeric substrate comprised of 10-50% (w/w) of alginate and 45-85% (w/w) of gelatine and further includes a polymeric biodegradable resin for coating said polymeric substrate. The stent can also include a contrast agent. The stent can further include a crosslinking agent. The method for producing the stent includes dissolving the alginate and gelatine in water and stirring to obtain a polymeric substrate. The method also includes adding a crosslinking agent to the substrate, injecting the substrate into a mold to obtain the stent, placing the stent in a first alcohol solution, and placing the stent in a crosslinking agent solution. The method further includes placing the stent in a second alcohol solution, and a series of interchanging drying and immersing steps.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns the production of an ionic-doped composition and nanocomposites hierarchically structured incorporating bioactive ions, and its use in regenerative medicine and/or tissue engineering.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to gellan gum and gellan gum-based hydrogels (GG-based hydrogels) for promoting chondrogenic, osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells, preferentially osteogenic. The present disclosure also relates to a composition for use in bone, cartilage and soft tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, preferably for use in bone.

Abstract: An arthroscopic surgery device for delivering a therapeutic formulation into a cartilage of an articular joint, wherein the device comprises: a flexible tubular delivery arm, comprising one or more internal channels for carrying the therapeutic formulation; a flexible external sleeve enveloping the delivery arm lengthwise; a pliable cup attached to an end of the delivery arm, for covering a cartilage part where the therapeutic formulation is to be delivered, arranged such that by outwards axial displacement of the delivery arm in respect to the external sleeve, the cup moves from inside to outside of the external sleeve, expanding the cup. The device may comprise a flexible internal sleeve between the delivery arm and the external sleeve, such that the flexible internal sleeve envelops the delivery arm lengthwise. The arthroscopic surgery device may be also used for extracting fluid from an articular cavity.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to biocompatible ionically crosslinked hydrogel polymers comprising polysaccharides such as alginate, hyaluronic acid, gellan gum or its derivatives and manganese ions for use in medicine, in particular for imaging purposes. Therefore, the hydrogel present disclosure is useful for spatio-temporal control of cells/drugs delivery in a wide range of therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for obtaining a high molecular weight chitosan with a lower acetylation degree and its use in human or veterinarian medicine. More specifically, to the obtaining of this biomaterial by means of a simpler process, with reduced energy costs, when compared with conventional procedures.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to biodegradable ureteral stents comprising an anti-cancer drug, and to a composition for use in medicine that may be used to ensure patency of a channel, namely a mammal ureter, for example, an obstructed ureter by a urinary stone, neoplasia or by a surgical procedure. The biodegradable ureteral stents (BUS) disclosed in the present disclosure unexpectedly allow a proper release of anti-cancer drugs, thus extending the duration of the treatment and increasing the efficacy of the treatment.