Flow diverters (FDs) have revolutionized intracranial aneurysm management, but current permanent metallic devices remain constrained by their bulk and surface properties, which induce chronic inflammation, thrombotic risk, and impaired vessel-wall integration. In this review we address these material-driven design challenges, examining how bioactive bioabsorbable biomaterials can overcome current limitations by balancing scaffold resorption with aneurysm occlusion. Moving beyond the clinical focus of existing literature, we establish a rational design roadmap bridging the gap between bulk material properties and FD architecture. We analyze how synchronized degradation kinetics and neointimal encapsulation govern device functionality, identifying this biological isolation as a necessary safety requirement to ensure resorption occurs only after the scaffold is shielded from the active flow. We analyze the mechanical-biological trade-offs of current platforms, whereby bioabsorbable polymers offer superior flexibility but limited radial support, whereas bioabsorbable metals provide higher mechanical integrity but require precision control over degradation. Hybrid strategies, combining transient and permanent components, emerge as effective solutions to balance mechanical reliability with controlled resorption. Across material classes, sustained flow diversion and vascular healing are primarily dictated by the interplay of scaffold architecture, material composition, and time-dependent surface evolution. Our analysis highlights that converging bulk material selection with advanced interfacial engineering enables the rational design of bioabsorbable FDs that maintain temporary mechanical integrity, while ensuring predictable aneurysm occlusion. These design principles establish a scientific framework for next-generation bioactive neurovascular implants, emphasizing a materials-driven approach to optimize safety and translational potential.

Background Magnesium-based implants are increasingly investigated as bioabsorbable materials for temporary osteosynthesis applications due to their favorable biocompatibility and bone-like elastic modulus. However, controlling the degradation rate remains a critical barrier to clinical translation, as rapid corrosion can compromise mechanical integrity and lead to adverse effects, such as gas formation. Methods PEO-modified WE43MEO (WE43-PEO) and non-modified WE43MEO screws and plates were implanted in the humerus and femur of Göttinger minipigs in a non-fracture model and assessed after 18 months. Explants were analyzed using micro-computed tomography and non-decalcified histology with histomorphometric quantification of residual implant structure and peri-implant bone response. Results No significant differences in cortical implant volume were observed. However, PEO modified implants were surrounded by significantly higher volumes of lamellar bone, suggesting reduced remodeling and improved bone integration. Non-modified WE43MEO implants underwent complete degradation, while PEO modified implants showed partial resorption with preserved structure, indicating effective degradation control. Both implant types remained integrated without long-term complications. Conclusion PEO surface modification of WE43 magnesium implants supports predictable, biocompatible long-term degradation and promotes favorable bone quality without late complications, underscoring the potential of surface-engineered magnesium fixation devices for load-bearing applications. The translational potential of this article PEO-modified WE43MEO osteosynthesis systems may offer clinically relevant, bioabsorbable fixation with controlled degradation and improved long-term bone integration, potentially reducing implant-related complications and the need for secondary removal procedures in orthopaedic and craniomaxillofacial surgery.

Looped-ended braided stents are used in vascular interventions owing to their flexibility, conformability, and self-expansion. However, severe crimping into low-profile delivery catheters concentrates bending, crossing-point migration, and geometric crowding at the terminal crowns, producing stresses that classical uniform-braid models cannot resolve. This limitation is critical for bioabsorbable metallic stents, where excessive end-region stress may compromise deliverability or exceed yield limits. To address this gap, this study develops a large-deformation moving-boundary elastica model that represents the terminal crown as a planar elastica with a moving crossing point and predicts maximum bending stress, radial force, and local geometric jamming. The model was verified against finite element simulations spanning stiffness, pitch angle, wire diameter, loop radius, wire number, and stent diameter, and compared with experimental crimping data for a looped-ended Nitinol braided stent. The predictions showed close agreement with finite element stress and radial-force responses throughout the planar sliding regime and followed the measured force trend before stress-induced martensitic transformation. In high-wire-density configurations, deviations marked the transition to out-of-plane crown buckling and defined the planar model limit. The results establish the looped end as a design-limiting region and provide an end-specific framework for rapid loop-end screening before finite element analysis or prototype testing

OBJECTIVES:We describe the burden of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-related hospitalization among community-dwelling older adults in the pre-vaccine era and identify factors associated with adverse hospital outcomes. METHODS:We conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study among adults aged ≥50 years hospitalized with RSV, using linked laboratory and health administrative data in Ontario, Canada during 2017-2020. We used modified Poisson regression models to assess associations between 25 individual factors and four hospital-related outcomes (30-day mortality, intensive care unit [ICU] utilization, hospital length of stay [LOS], and 30-day readmission). RESULTS:Of 3221 adults hospitalized with RSV, 314 (9.7%) died within 30 days, 560 (17.4%) required ICU care, and the median (interquartile range) LOS was 6 (3-11) days. Of 2913 adults discharged alive, 343 (11.8%) were readmitted within 30 days. Frailty strongly predicted all outcomes: mortality (adjusted risk ratio [aRR]=1.36; 95%CI, 1.05-1.76), ICU (aRR=1.45; 95%CI, 1.22-1.73), LOS (adjusted incidence rate ratio [IRR]=1.96; 95%CI, 1.81-2.12), and readmission (aRR=1.46; 95%CI, 1.14-1.87). Adults aged ≥90 years (aRR=2.37; 95%CI, 1.32-4.24), those with active cancer (aRR=1.63; 95%CI, 1.17-2.27) or other immunodeficiencies (aRR=1.54; 95%CI, 1.21-1.95), and chronic home care recipients (aRR=1.32; 95%CI, 1.03-1.67) had a higher risk of mortality, with similar trends observed for readmission. CONCLUSIONS:RSV causes substantial morbidity and mortality among hospitalized older adults. These findings help identify high-risk groups for vaccine prioritization.

To describe the demographic and health profiles of Black people in the African Caribbean Track Study (A/C Study) who consented to linkage to administrative databases, examine variations in healthcare use, and compare these patterns to those observed in the general population to inform efforts to reduce health disparities. Using a matched cohort design, participants who consented to administrative data linkage in the A/C Study were matched 1:10 to general population controls based on age (± 5 years), sex, and census metropolitan area. We compared sociodemographic characteristics, HIV prevalence, and healthcare use using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Of the 1380 A/C Study participants, 309 provided consent and 115 (8.3

Beta-adrenergic antagonists (“beta-blockers”) have metabolic effects that influence risk of hypoglycemia in persons with diabetes. This risk may be elevated upon initial exposure and may vary among agents in the class. To explore differences in the risk of hypoglycemia among new and prevalent users of individual beta-blockers in people with diabetes. Population-based nested case–control study. Cases of hypoglycemia, defined using emergency department or hospital admitting diagnosis, were matched with up to ten controls on age, sex, diabetes duration, and at least one prescription record for a beta-blocker in the 365 days preceding the hypoglycemic event or the equivalent date for controls (index date). Beta-blocker exposure was categorized as new, prevalent, recent, and remote use based on a pre-index 90-day (primary) and 30-day (secondary) exposure ascertainment period. Persons aged 66 years or older with diabetes in Ontario, Canada. Conditional logistic regression models were used to calculate adjusted odds ratios with 95

WE43MEO magnesium foils (thickness ≤ 200 µm) were successfully produced via hot rolling. The initially extruded material was heat treated at 450 °C for 2 h to achieve a more homogenous microstructure. Afterwards the sheets were hot rolled at 480 °C in two to five rolling passes to achieve a uniform thickness of less than 200 µm and finally heat treated (T5 and T6 heat treatment). After foil rolling and final heat treatment the microstructural und texture evolution as well as resulting mechanical properties were investigated. Therefore, the samples were quenched directly after foil rolling and the final heat treatment. The foil rolling led either to a deformation microstructure (two and three passes) or globular grains (four and five passes) depending on the number of rolling passes. As main recrystallisation mechanisms continuous dynamic recrystallisation (CDRX) and twinning induced dynamic recrystallisation (TDRX) were identified. The resulting textures revealed the activation of non-basal slip of -dislocations during prior foil rolling. As a result of the rolling, the strength increased and the elongation decreased compared to the extruded and heat-treated state. Furthermore, it was found that a T6 temper increased corrosion resistance of the tested WE43MEO foils.

The use of biometals is becoming more and more popular thanks to the development of new alloys that take advantage of their biodegradability. Due to this beneficial property, particularly Magnesium (Mg) and Zinc (Zn) have been studied frequently within the currently applicable group of bioabsorbable metals. This investigation studied the microstructure, and electrochemical behavior of WE43 and Zn1Mg alloys manufactured by extrusion and Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF), with and without plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) surface treatment. The extruded WE43 showed a corrosion rate of 3.42 +/- 0.10 mm/year, while the LPBF counterpart has an increased corrosion rate of 11.85 +/- 0.14 mm/year. This increase was explained via yttrium oxide particles found in the LPBF material that decrease the protective effect of the corrosion layer, and hence reduce corrosion resistance. For the Zn1Mg, the extruded sample had a corrosion rate of 0.98 +/- 0.41 mm/year, whereas the LPBF sample also showed a higher corrosion rate of 2.70 +/- 0.09 mm/year. This result was explained by a higher volume fraction of second phase eutectic structure in the LPBF samples, which increased the microgalvanic corrosion between Zn grains and MgZn structures in the eutectic phase. The extruded samples showed thicker PEO oxide layer in both the WE43 and Zn1Mg materials than the LPBF-fabrication samples, and in all cases the corrosion resistance was improved when applying these surface treatments. These findings highlight the impact of evaluating the influence of different manufacturing methods and PEO surface treatments on the corrosion resistance and durability of these biomedical alloys.

Peri-implantitis is known as an inflammatory condition affecting the soft and hard tissue around dental implants. A promising strategy to prevent these conditions is the use of antibacterial implants. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial potential of titanium (Ti) dental implants modified using plasma-electrolytic oxidation (PEO). The modified surfaces were subsequently loaded with silver (Ag) ( n = 6) and zinc (Zn) ( n = 6) ions and compared to unloaded Ti specimens ( n = 6), with untreated specimens serving as controls. The specimens (each n = 5) were incubated in a culture medium containing a mixture of specific anaerobic bacterial strains. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to visualize the bacterial biofilm on each specimen. In addition, total bacterial deoxxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and the number of viable bacteria were determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qrt-PCR) and colony forming unit analysis (CFU), respectively. The results of the CFU analysis showed a 2 log (99%) reduction in viable bacteria in the samples loaded with Ag and Zn compared to the unloaded control group (p < 0.05). Moreover, significantly lower bacterial DNA counts were detected with a 5 log reduction (99.999%) in the Ag and Zn samples compared to the positive control group (bacterial mixed culture solution, p < 0.05). Therefore, it was considered that Ag and Zn loaded Ti implants may be a promising addition to current approaches to enable advanced antibacterial dental implants. However, further studies should be conducted to evaluate the in vivo cytocompatibility of the developed specimens.

Purpose: The increasing demand for alternatives to autologous and resorbable bone grafts in the treatment of bone defects is driving research efforts. This study aims to evaluate the effects of different surface treatments on zinc-1%-magnesium (Zn-1Mg) alloy scaffolds on chondrocytes and osteoblasts, focusing on cytotoxicity, biocompatibility, and cell proliferation. Methods: Zn-1Mg alloy disks were manufactured additively by the powder bed fusion of metals using a laser beam (PBF-LB/M) and underwent different distinct surface treatments, including as-built treatment, sandblasting, Zn-1Mg-blasting, and electropolishing, respectively. Chondrocytes and osteoblasts were cultured separately on these additively manufactured Zn-1Mg alloy disks for 3, 7, and 14 days to assess biocompatibility and cellular growth. Cell viability, cytotoxicity, and proliferation were analyzed using DAPI staining, live/dead staining, fluorescence microscopy, and flow cytometry. Additionally, cellular morphology was investigated using Phalloidin/DAPI staining and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Zn-1Mg scaffolds were also manufactured and subjected to the same surface treatments. All aforementioned experiments were repeated using Zn-1Mg scaffolds with co-cultured osteoblasts and chondrocytes. Results: All samples, irrespective of the surface treatment, showed similar effects compared to the reference surfaces in terms of cell viability, cytotoxicity, and proliferation for both chondrocytes and osteoblasts. SEM analysis revealed comparable cellular morphology across all scaffolds, with cells observed attaching and growing on all scaffold surfaces. This indicates that all scaffolds independent of different surface treatments exhibit good biocompatibility. Conclusions: The findings indicate that Zn-1Mg alloy samples with different surface treatments exhibit no significant differences in cytocompatibility with chondrocytes and osteoblasts. Zn-1Mg alloy scaffolds, composed of 99% zinc and 1% magnesium, demonstrate biocompatibility, with cells attaching and growing on all scaffold surfaces. These results suggest that Zn-1Mg alloy scaffolds manufactured additively by PBF-LB/M hold promise for use in resorbable bone graft applications.

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted progress towards global HCV elimination goals by interrupting essential health services in Canada and globally. We aimed to evaluate the effect of the pandemic on hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing rates in a population-based cohort study in Ontario using health administrative data. All residents with records of either HCV antibody or ribonucleic acid (RNA) tests were included. Monthly testing rate per 1000 population were compared during the pre-pandemic (01/01/2015–29/02/2020) and pandemic (01/03/2020–31/12/2022) periods using interrupted time series models, stratified by sex, homelessness, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and immigration status, and people who inject drugs (PWID). The HCV testing rate followed a statistically significant upward trend before the pandemic, dropping at its onset with 1.38/1000 fewer individuals initiating testing monthly. Compared to counterfactual estimates, the observed monthly number of people tested per 1000 population was lower by 1.41 (95% CI: 1.18–1.64) in 2020 (May–Dec), 1.17 (95% CI: 0.99–1.36) in 2021, and 1.41 (95% CI: 1.22–1.59) in 2022, corresponding to relative reductions of 47%, 34%, and 41%, respectively. Testing rates remained below expected levels across all subgroups throughout 2020–2022, with the greatest absolute declines observed among people co-infected with HIV, people experiencing homelessness, and PWID. Tailored, equity-focused interventions are needed to address these persistent gaps in HCV testing, without which Canada’s progress toward its 2030 elimination targets remains at risk.

ABSTRACT Biliary duct reconstruction is one of the most challenging parts of liver transplantation and accounts for 40%–60% of complications. While current stent‐based devices on the market show promising results in reducing complications, they are manufactured from permanent synthetic materials and require a second reintervention for their removal. This exposes the patients to other potential complications and increases healthcare costs. This study develops a fabrication technique to produce a bioabsorbable biliary stent based on silk fibroin. The process used a dip‐coating procedure for silk fibroin that produced highly smooth monolayer tubular specimens without the use of any additional surfactants during removal. This process was combined with an electrospinning step to produce bilayer structures through the deposition of electrospun silk fibroin on the outer surface. The structures proved to have promising mechanical, morphological, and cytocompatibility properties for use in the field of biliary stenting. Furthermore, the technique investigated proved to be reproducible, achieving an important requirement for large‐scale use even in the presence of a biomaterial derived from a natural source. These results show the possibility of obtaining a completely bioabsorbable internal biliary stent that does not require any second reintervention. This study can be the starting point for further investigations both in vitro and in vivo to assess the suitability of silk fibroin biliary stents for clinical applications.

Bioabsorbable Mg wire-reinforced poly-lactic acid (PLA) matrix composites are potential candidate for load-bearing orthopedic implants offering tailorable mechanical and degradation properties by stacking sequence, volume fraction and surface modification of Mg wires. In this study, we investigated the cytocompatibility, cell-material interaction, and bone differentiation behavior of MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblast cells for medical-grade PLA, Mg/PLA, and PEO-Mg/PLA (having PEO surface modification on Mg wires) composites. MTT and live/dead assay showed excellent biocompatibility of both composites while cell-material interaction analysis revealed that cells were able to adhere and proliferate on the surface of composites. Cells on the longitudinal surface of composites showed a high and uniform cell density while those on transversal surfaces initially avoided Mg regions but later migrated back after the formation of the passivation layer. Bone differentiation tests showed that cells in extracts of PLA and composites were able to initiate the differentiation process as osteogenesis-related gene expressions, alkaline phosphatase protein quantity, and calcium mineralization increased after 7 and 14 days of culture. Interestingly, the bone differentiation response of PEO-Mg/PLA composite was found to be similar to medical-grade PLA, proving its superiority over Mg/PLA composite.

Unidirectional and multidirectional laminates of Mg‐wire‐reinforced poly‐lactic‐acid–matrix composites are manufactured by an improved compression molding strategy that allows excellent control on the position and orientation of the wires. Two different types of Mg wires, with and without surface modification by continuous plasma electrolytic oxidation, are used, the former to improve the interfacial strength and to reduce the degradation rate of Mg wires in biological environments. The mechanical properties of the constituents as well as of composites are measured before and after in vitro degradation by immersion in simulated body fluids and the corresponding deformation, fracture, and degradation mechanisms are analyzed in detail. It is found that the presence of the Mg wires improves the mechanical behavior in tension and compression of unidirectional composites in the longitudinal direction (close to cortical bone) and that quasi‐isotropic laminates with tailored properties can be designed from the data of unidirectional composites.

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers and causes of cancer death in Canada. Some previous literature suggests that socioeconomic inequalities in lung cancer screening, treatment and survival may exist. The objective of this study was to compare overall survival for immigrants versus long-term residents of Ontario, Canada among patients diagnosed with lung cancer. This population-based retrospective cohort study utilized linked health administrative databases and identified all individuals (immigrants and long-term residents) aged 40 + years diagnosed with incident lung cancer between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2017. The primary outcome was 5-year overall survival with December 31, 2019 as the end of the follow-up period. We implemented adjusted Cox proportional hazards models stratified by age at diagnosis, sex, and cancer stage at diagnosis to examine survival. Thirty-eight thousand seven hundred eighty-eight individuals diagnosed with lung cancer were included in our cohort including 7

Commercial purity titanium (cp-Ti) is considered for replacing Ti64 as an implant material in various applications, due to the potential toxicity associated with the release of Al and V ions. However, the mechanical properties of cp-Ti, particularly fatigue resistance, are inadequate for this purpose. In this study, cp-Ti grade 4 rods were processed using a combination of equal channel angular pressing and rotary swaging (ECAP/RS). Tensile and fatigue tests were conducted, along with detailed microscopy and evaluation of corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. An average yield strength of 1383 MPa was obtained while maintaining moderate ductility of 10 %. This represents the highest strength ever recorded for cp-Ti, even exceeding that of Ti64. Additionally, fatigue endurance limit increased by 43 % up to 600 MPa, almost obtaining that of Ti64. Strengthening mechanisms were attributed to the ultrafine-grained (UFG) microstructure generated by ECAP/RS, along with strong crystallographic texture and formation of sub-grain structure. Furthermore, the corrosion resistance and biocompatibility of cp-Ti were largely unaffected, potentially easing regulatory transition in future medical devices. Thus, these results demonstrate high potential of combined ECAP/RS processing to manufacture UFG cp-Ti grade 4 materials that prospectively allow for the substitution of questionable alloys and downsizing of medical implants.