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Chondroitinase ABC can induce the reduction of intradiscal pressure in the lumbar spine.

HADgels are newly developed photocrosslinked hyaluronate hydrogels. They are produced from an aqueous solution of a hyaluronan derivative (HAD) in which cinnamic acid is introduced into the carboxyl moiety of hyaluronan using 3-aminopropanol as a spacer. High-energy ultraviolet irradiation of the HAD solution induces photodimerization of cinnamic acid, resulting in the development of a macromolecular network of each hyaluronan to water-insoluble hydrogels. The biocompatibility and biodegradation of HADgels were evaluated by guinea pig intracutaneous injection testing for up to 28 days. By macroscopic and histological observations, HADgels showed good tissue compatibility and did not induce excess inflammation at the injection sites. Biodegradation of the HADgels clearly depended on the degree of crosslinking at the fixed weight concentrations of HAD (0.5% and 1.0%). In addition, serum analyses showed that the injected guinea pigs did not produce specific antibodies against HADgels. These results indicate that HADgels have preferable biocompatibility and can be used as a new class of injectable, absorbable biomaterial, especially for preventing postsurgical adhesion formations.

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Purpose: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the efficacy and safety of carbonate apatite (CO 3 Ap) granules in 2-stage sinus floor augmentation through the radiographic and histomorphometric assessment of bone biopsy specimens. Methods: Two-stage sinus floor augmentation was performed on 13 patients with a total of 17 implants. Radiographic assessment using panoramic radiographs was performed immediately after augmentation and was also performed 2 additional times, at 7±2 months and 18±2 months post-augmentation, respectively. Bone biopsy specimens taken from planned implant placement sites underwent micro-computed tomography, after which histological sections were prepared. Results: Postoperative healing of the sinus floor augmentation was uneventful in all cases. The mean preoperative residual bone height was 3.5±1.3 mm, and this was increased to 13.3±1.7 mm by augmentation with the CO 3 Ap granules. The mean height of the augmented site had decreased to 10.7±1.9 mm by 7±2 months after augmentation; however, implants with lengths in the range of 6.5 to 11.5 mm could still be placed. The mean height of the augmented site had decreased to 9.6±1.4 mm by 18±2 months post-augmentation. No implant failure or complications were observed. Few inflammatory cells or foreign body giant cells were observed in the bone biopsy specimens. Although there were individual differences in the amount of new bone detected, new bone was observed to be in direct contact with the CO 3 Ap granules in all cases, without an intermediate layer of fibrous tissue. The amounts of bone and residual CO 3 Ap were 33.8%±15.1% and 15.3%±11.9%, respectively. Conclusions: In this first demonstration, low-crystalline CO 3 Ap granules showed excellent biocompatibility, and bone biopsy showed them to be replaced with bone in humans. CO 3 Ap granules are a useful and safe bone substitute for two-stage sinus floor augmentation.