The biophysical characteristics of the extracellular matrix, such as nanotopography and bioelectricity, have a profound influence on cell proliferation, adhesion, differentiation, etc. Recognition of the function of a certain biophysical cue and fabrication of biomaterial scaffolds with specific properties would have important implications and significant applications in tissue engineering. Herein, nanotopographic and piezoelectric biomaterials are fabricated and the combination effect of and individual contribution to proliferation, adhesion, and neuron-like differentiation of rat bone marrowderived mesenchymal stem cells (rbMSCs) are clarified via nanotopography and piezoelectricity. Piezoelectric polyvinylidene fluoride with nanostripe array structures is fabricated, which can generate a surface piezoelectric potential up to millivolt by cell movement and traction. The results reveal a more favorable effect on neuron-like differentiation of rbMSCs from the combination of piezoelectricity and nanotopography rather than nanotopography alone, whereas nanotopography can increase cellular adhesion. This research provides a new insight into designing biomaterials for the potential application in neural tissue engineering.
Young patients had a tendency of higher death rate caused by recurrence or metastasis than middle-age and older patients; therefore, a larger case sample is needed for further confirmation.
Despite efforts by family members to conceal cancer diagnoses from patients, the majority of patients discovered the diagnosis of their own accord. This finding suggests that therapeutic non-disclosure is not very effective at withholding the truth from patients.
Telling the truth to a cancer patient is often de facto discouraged in clinicians. Family members often support nondisclosure, especially when they have experience with a relative who is unaware of the truth. The education level of family members does not appear to influence decisions regarding disclosure. These findings can be helpful in the development of policies and/or programs to assist medical professionals and family members engage in truthful disclosure to a patient who has cancer.
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