Quaternized Chitosan/Heparin Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Films for Protein Delivery.

Layer-by-layer (LbL) polyelectrolyte coatings are intensively studied as reservoirs of bioactive proteins for modulating interactions between biomaterial surfaces and cells. Mild conditions for the incorporation of growth factors into delivery systems are required to maintain protein bioactivity. Here, we present LbL films composed of water-soluble -[(2-hydroxy-3-trimethylammonium)propyl] chitosan chloride (HTCC), heparin (Hep), and tannic acid (TA) fabricated under physiological conditions with the ability to release heparin-binding proteins.

Complexation of CXCL12, FGF-2 and VEGF with Heparin Modulates the Protein Release from Alginate Microbeads.

Long-term delivery of growth factors and immunomodulatory agents is highly required to support the integrity of tissue in engineering constructs, e.g., formation of vasculature, and to minimize immune response in a recipient.

Antimicrobial effect of Casiopeinas® copper- and ruthenium-based compounds on Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and in vitro cell viability onto osteoblasts cells.

Objectives: The present study aims to evaluate the antimicrobial property of Casiopeinas® copper- and ruthenium-based compounds against Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans serotype b (ATCC® 43,718™), as well as the cytotoxicity on an osteoblasts cell line of both compounds.

Material And Methods: The antibacterial effect of the copper-based compounds (CasII-gly, CasIII-ia) and the ruthenium-based compound (RuN-6) at four different concentrations was evaluated as the inhibition ratio of the bacterial growth after 48 h under anaerobic conditions, and the cell viability was measured through resazurin assay.

Results: The copper- and ruthenium-based compounds used for this assay were (CasII-gly, CasIII-ia, and RuN-6), showing inhibitory activity between 39 and 62% compared to the antibiotic employed as control 66%.

Molecular epidemiology of the endemic multiresistance plasmid pSI54/04 of Salmonella Infantis in broiler and human population in Hungary.

Salmonella Infantis (SI) became endemic in Hungary where the PFGE cluster B, characterized by a large multiresistance (MDR) plasmid emerged among broilers leading to an increased occurrence in humans. We hypothesized that this plasmid (pSI54/04) assisted dissemination of SI. Indeed, Nal-Sul-Tet phenotypes carrying pSI54/04 occurred increasingly between 2011 and 2013 among SI isolates from broilers and humans.

Does the Pain-free hospital certification improve the management of pain following hernioplasty?

Background: Postoperative pain still poses a serious problem for 80% of patients undergoing surgery. We assessed the effects of the implementation of standards of postoperative analgesia, according to the guidelines of the "Pain-free hospital" project, and PROSPECT group recommendations, in the daily practice of a general surgical hospital ward.

Methods: One hundred adult patients, scheduled for elective inguinal or umbilical hernia surgery, were included in the study and allocated to two groups, to receive analgesics on demand (control), or postoperative analgesia according to the introduced programs.

Variability of the midfacial muscles: analysis of 50 hemifacial cadaver dissections.

The region of the midface represents a challenging area to both reconstructive and aesthetic surgeons. An anatomic study was performed that attempted to identify patterns and variations of the muscular anatomy. The goals of this study were twofold: to identify patterns and variability of the midfacial muscles that might impact on reconstructive efforts and to attempt to correlate this anatomy with features of the overlying soft tissues, specifically the nasolabial crease.

Double or bifid zygomaticus major muscle: anatomy, incidence, and clinical correlation.

The anatomy of the double or bifid zygomaticus major muscle is investigated in a series of 50 hemifacial cadaver dissections. The double zygomaticus major muscle represents an anatomical variation of this muscle of facial expression. This bifid muscle originates as a single structure from the zygomatic bone.

Anatomy of a "black eye": a newly described fascial system of the lower eyelid.

The anatomy of a black eye is examined in a series of cadaver dissections in which a previously unreported fascial system of the lower eyelid is identified. This fascia originates at the orbital rim, and is in continuity with the orbital septum and with the periosteum of the orbital floor and anterior maxillary wall. This fascia contributes to the thickened area along the orbital rim called the arcus marginale.

Terminal nerve distribution to the urethra and bladder neck: considerations in the management of stress urinary incontinence.

Purpose: Recent reports have suggested an increased incidence of intrinsic sphincter dysfunction, most of which seems to appear following the failure of a previous, usually vaginal, surgical repair. Our studies attempt to define more precisely the neuroanatomical relationships that exist in the region of the bladder neck and proximal urethra, and between the urethra and anterior vaginal wall.

Materials And Methods: We dissected the pelves of adult female cadavers and step sectioned them at 4 mm.

A comparison of the suppression of human transferrin synthesis by lead and lipopolysaccharide.

Transferrin, as the major iron-transport protein in serum and other body fluids, has a central role in managing iron the body receives. Liver is a major site of transferrin synthesis, and in this study we present evidence that liver synthesis of human transferrin is suppressed by both the toxic metal lead and bacterial lipopolysaccharide, an inducer of the hepatic acute phase response. The responses of intact endogenous transferrin in the human hepatoma cell line HepG2 and chimeric human transferrin-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase genes in transgenic mice were examined.

YY1 and Sp1 transcription factors bind the human transferrin gene in an age-related manner.

The iron-binding protein transferrin has major roles in transporting, delivering, and sequestering ferric ions acquired by body tissues. Yet, during aging, serum transferrin levels decrease in humans. Likewise, in transgenic mice carrying chimeric human transferrin transgenes, liver expression of transferrin transgenes decreases with age.

A comparison of impression techniques for the CeraOne abutment.

Purpose: This study measured the accuracy of two impression techniques recommended by Noblepharma to be used with their CeraOne single tooth implant restoration. The first technique was to lute the impression transfer coping to the impression tray with autopolymerizing acrylic resin. The second was to leave the transfer coping free-standing in the impression material.

Intranasal versed: the future of pediatric conscious sedation.

Conscious sedation of pediatric patients for procedures is occurring with increasing frequency in hospitals and outpatient settings. Nurses need to be aware of current AAP guidelines for conscious sedation as well as current trends in medication. The pediatric applications and current literature regarding intranasal midazolam and flumazenil are reviewed.

Lead suppresses chimeric human transferrin gene expression in transgenic mouse liver.

The major iron-transport protein in serum is transferrin (TF) which also has the capacity to transport other metals. This report presents evidence that synthesis of human TF can be regulated by the metal lead. Transgenic mice carrying chimeric human TF-chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) genes received lead or sodium salts by intraperitoneal injections or in drinking water.

Expression of a human chimeric transferrin gene in senescent transgenic mice reflects the decrease of transferrin levels in aging humans.

Transgenic mice provide a means to study human gene expression in vivo throughout the aging process. A DNA sequence containing 668 bp of the 5' regulatory region of the human transferrin gene was fused to the bacterial reporter gene chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (TF-CAT) and introduced into the mouse genome. Expression of the human chimeric transferrin gene was similar to the tissue patterns of mouse and human transferrin.

Trajectory surgical guide stent for implant placement.

This article describes a new implant placement surgical guide that gives both implant location and trajectory to the surgeon. Radiopaque markers are placed on diagnostic dentures and a lateral cephalometric radiograph is made that shows the osseous anatomy at the symphysis and the anterior tooth location. The ideal implant location and trajectory data are transferred to a surgical stent that programs the angle and location of the fixtures at time of surgery.

The use of processed silicone to retain the implant-supported tissue-borne overdenture.

A technique is described for constructing the implant-retained overdenture with heat-polymerized silicone that is processed around undercuts in a round bar framework connecting the implants. An acrylic resin circular rest contacting the bar ensures that the implants are loaded in occlusion for stress distribution over the fixtures.

An improved index for the waxed stage of an implant-retained framework.

A method for making an improved index for the waxed stage of Branemark implant-retained frameworks is described. The index improves visibility of the tooth and abutment cylinder relationship permitting the optimization of framework dimensions and contour.

[Skin sensitivity to respiratory allergens in agricultural workers and wage-earners].

Prick tests were performed with "pneumallergerns" (mites, cereal dusts, animal dander, pollens, moulds--totalling 35 allergens) among 742 agricultural workers of the Meuse department (North East of France) as part of an epidemiological study on respiratory and immuno-allergological problems. Among those with positive skin tests, 47.9% had positive skin tests for mites, 22.

Human transferrin. Expression and iron modulation of chimeric genes in transgenic mice.

Transferrin (TF) is a plasma protein that transports and is regulated by iron. The aim of this study was to characterize human TF gene sequences that respond in vivo to cellular signals affecting expression in various tissues and to iron administration. Chimeric genes were constructed containing 152, 622, and 1152 base pairs (bp) of the human TF5'-flanking region with the coding region of a reporter gene, CAT (chloramphenicol acetyltransferase), and introduced into the germ line of mice.