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Porous scaffolds composed of gelatin and polysaccharides such as hyaluronic acid and β-glucan were prepared by using the freeze-drying method after cross-linking with 1-ethyl-(3-3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC). The scaffold had an inter-connected pore structure with the sufficient pore size for use as a support for the growth of fibroblasts. Results for the contact angle and cell attachment confirmed that high gelatin content in a mixture was suitable for cellular attachment and distribution in two-or three-dimensional fibroblast cultures. However, the addition of polysaccharides aroused the synergistic effects of morphologic and mechanical property of gelatin-based scaffolds. To prepare the artificial dermis for the wound dressing to mimic the normal human dermal skin, fibroblasts were isolated from a childs foreskin, and cultured in gelatin-based scaffolds. An in vivo study showed that the artificial dermis containing the fibroblasts enhanced the wound healing rate and re-epithelialization of a full-thickness skin defect rather than the acellular scaffold after one week.

BackgroundEndotracheal intubation induces clinically adverse cardiovascular changes. Various pharmacological strategies for controlling these responses have been suggested with opioids being widely administered. In this study, the optimal effect-site concentration (Ce) of remifentanil for minimizing hemodynamic responses to fiberoptic nasotracheal intubation was evaluated.MethodsThirty patients, aged 18-63 years, scheduled for elective surgery were included. Anesthesia was induced with a propofol and remifentanil infusion via target-controlled infusion (TCI). Remifentanil infusion was initiated at 3.0 ng/mL, and the response of each patient determined the Ce of remifentanil for the next patient by the Dixon up-and-down method at an interval of 0.5 ng/mL. Rocuronium was administered after propofol and remifentanil reached their preset Ce; 90 seconds later fiberoptic nasotracheal intubation was initiated. Non-invasive blood pressure and heart rate (HR) were measured at pre-induction, the time Ce was reached, immediately before and after intubation, and at 1 and 3 minutes after intubation. The up-and-down criteria comprised a 20% change in mean blood pressure and HR between just prior to intubation and 1 minute after intubation.ResultsThe median effective effect-site concentration (EC50) of remifentanil was 3.11 ± 0.38 ng/mL by the Dixon's up-and-down method. From the probit analysis, the EC50 of remifentanil was 3.43 ng/mL (95% confidence interval, 2.90-4.06 ng/mL). In PAVA, the EC50 and EC95 of remifentanil were 3.57 ng/mL (95% CI, 2.95-3.89) and 4.35 ng/mL (95% CI, 3.93-4.45). No remifentanil-related complications were observed.ConclusionsThe EC50 of remifentanil for minimizing the cardiovascular changes and side effects associated with fiberoptic nasotracheal intubation was 3.11-3.43 ng/mL during propofol TCI anesthesia with a Ce of 4 ug/mL.