Experimental Models of Endotheliopathy: Impact of Shock Severity.

Background: Hemorrhagic shock (HS) followed by resuscitation is often associated with sympathoadrenal activation (SAA) and endothelial damage (ED).

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the impact of HS alone on the magnitude of SAA and consecutive ED, and to characterize potential targets for a standardized and reproducible model of HS-induced endotheliopathy in rats.

Methods: Rats were subjected either to a volume-controlled HS (40% of total blood volume: v-HS group) or to a laboratory-guided HS (l-HS) targeting base deficit (BD) more than 5.

TNF-α release capacity is suppressed immediately after hemorrhage and resuscitation.

Purpose: It has been suggested that patients with traumatic insults are resuscitated into a state of an early systemic inflammatory response. We aimed to evaluate the influence of hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation (HSR) upon the inflammatory response capacity assessed by overall TNF-α secretion capacity of the host compared to its release from circulating leukocytes in peripheral circulation.

Methods: Rats (8/group) subjected to HS (MAP of 30-35 mmHg for 90 min followed by resuscitation over 50 min) were challenged with Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), 1 μg/kg intravenously at the end of resuscitation (HSR-LPS group) or 24 h later (HSR-LPS24 group).

A Randomized Control Trial Comparing Combined Glandular Lidocaine Injection and Intraurethral Lidocaine Gel with Intraurethral Lidocaine Gel Alone in Cystoscopy and Urethral Dilatation.

Purpose: Cystoscopy is one of the most common urologic procedures. The aim of this study is to investigate the combined effect of intraurethral lidocaine gel and intraglandular injection of lidocaine 2% on pain during and after cystoscopy. Materials & Methods: In this double-blind, parallel group randomized clinical trial, 156 patients referred for double J removal, urethral dilatation, or cystoscopy were enrolled.

An amplified comparative fluorescence resonance energy transfer immunosensing of CA125 tumor marker and ovarian cancer cells using green and economic carbon dots for bio-applications in labeling, imaging and sensing.

CA125, is a marker in the clinical diagnosis of several cancers and currently is the best serum-based tumor marker for ovarian cancer. Here, we developed an ultrasensitive antibody-ssDNA aptamer sandwich-type fluorescence immunosensor for CA125 detection. Based on a novel signal amplification strategy the carbon dots (CDs) functionalized with aptamer (CD-aptamer) used as detection probe and PAMAM-Dendrimers/AuNPs was used for covalent attachment of CA125-antibody and completing the sandwich assay method.

Concentrated lyophilized plasma used for reconstitution of whole blood leads to higher coagulation factor activity but unchanged thrombin potential compared with fresh-frozen plasma.

Background: During massive hemorrhage, it is recommended to transfuse red blood cells, platelet concentrate, and fresh-frozen plasma in a ratio close to 1:1:1. To avoid the thawing process of fresh frozen plasma, lyophilized plasma (LP) is increasingly used. Evidence is limited on the activity of coagulation factors in reconstituted blood using LP and concentrated LP versions.

In vitro antileishmanial activity of fisetin flavonoid via inhibition of glutathione biosynthesis and arginase activity in Leishmania infantum.

With the increasing emergence of drug resistant Leishmania sp. in recent years, combination therapy has been considered as a useful way to treat and control of Leishmaniasis. The present study was designed to evaluate the antileishmanial effects of the fisetin alone and combination of fisetin plus Meglumine antimoniate (Fi-MA) against Leishmania infantum.

Effect of Antioxidants (β-mercaptoethanol and Cysteamine) on Assisted Reproductive Technology In vitro.

Introduction: Oocyte Culture of Germinal Vesicle (GV) and its growth improves Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) invitro and infertility. Inappropriate culture medium environment, low quality of oocytes, increase in Oxidative Stress (OS) events, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and free radicals production are the main factors that result in unsuccessful Invitro Maturation (IVM) and decrease in reproduction.

Aim: The present study was conducted with the aim to evaluate the effect of β-mercaptoethanol (BME) and Cysteamine (CYS) on IVM improvement, embryo fertilization and development of blastocyst of mouse immature oocyte.

Impact of the Early Start Denver Model on the cognitive level of children with autism spectrum disorder: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial using a two-stage Zelen design.

Introduction: Early intervention for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the European French-speaking countries is heterogeneous and poorly evaluated to date. Early intervention units applying the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) for toddlers and young children with ASD have been created in France and Belgium to improve this situation. It is essential to evaluate this intervention for the political decision-making process regarding ASD interventions in European French-speaking countries.

Dual inhibition of thrombin and activated factor X attenuates disseminated intravascular coagulation and protects organ function in a baboon model of severe Gram-negative sepsis.

Background: Inhibition of procoagulant pathways may improve outcome in sepsis. We examined whether a dual short-acting thrombin (factor II) and factor X (FX)a inhibitor (SATI) ameliorates sepsis-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and is organ-protective.

Methods: Escherichia coli were infused for 2 h in 22 anesthetized baboons.

Potential role of platelet-leukocyte aggregation in trauma-induced coagulopathy: Ex vivo findings.

Background: Platelet dysfunction has been identified as an important contributor of trauma-induced coagulopathy, but the underlying mechanism still remains to be elucidated. Trauma-associated proinflammatory stimuli strongly activate leukocytes, which in turn bind activated platelets. Therefore, we investigated the role of platelet-leukocyte aggregation (PLA) as a potential feature of trauma-induced platelet dysfunction.

Receptor for hyaluronan mediated motility (RHAMM/HMMR) is a novel target for promoting subcutaneous adipogenesis.

Hyaluronan, CD44 and the Receptor for Hyaluronan-Mediated Motility (RHAMM, gene name HMMR) regulate stem cell differentiation including mesenchymal progenitor differentiation. Here, we show that CD44 expression is required for subcutaneous adipogenesis, whereas RHAMM expression suppresses this process. We designed RHAMM function blocking peptides to promote subcutaneous adipogenesis as a clinical and tissue engineering tool.

Electrical stimulation of somatic human stem cells mediated by composite containing conductive nanofibers for ligament regeneration.

One of the advances in the field of biomedical nanotechnology, is conductive nanofiber fabrication and the discovery of its applications. Biocompatible flexible nanofibers that have a good biocompatibility, mechanical properties and morphology. Poly (3, 4-ethylene dioxythiophene) (PEDOT) is a conductive polymer that has recently been used in medical applications.

Nanocaged platforms: modification, drug delivery and nanotoxicity. Opening synthetic cages to release the tiger.

Nanocages (NCs) have emerged as a new class of drug-carriers, with a wide range of possibilities in multi-modality medical treatments and theranostics. Nanocages can overcome such limitations as high toxicity caused by anti-cancer chemotherapy or by the nanocarrier itself, due to their unique characteristics. These properties consist of: (1) a high loading-capacity (spacious interior); (2) a porous structure (analogous to openings between the bars of the cage); (3) enabling smart release (a key to unlock the cage); and (4) a low likelihood of unfavorable immune responses (the outside of the cage is safe).

Alterations in nitric oxide homeostasis during traumatic brain injury.

Changes in nitric oxide (NO) levels have been often associated with various forms of trauma, including secondary damage after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Several studies demonstrate the upregulation of NO synthase (NOS) enzymes, and concomitant increases in brain NO levels, which contribute to the TBI-associated glutamate cytotoxicity, including the pathogenesis of mitochondrial dysfunction. TBI is also associated with elevated NO levels in remote organs, indicating that TBI can induce systemic changes in NO regulation, which can be either beneficial or detrimental.

Differential accumulation of cadmium in near-isogenic lines of durum wheat: no role for phytochelatins.

Certain cultivars of some crops, including durum wheat ( Desf.), have a propensity to accumulate cadmium in the grain. In the 1980s, a Canadian wheat breeding program generated five pairs of near-isogenic lines of durum wheat that vary in cadmium-accumulation.

The Relationship between Zinc Levels and Autism: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Objective: Autism is a complex behaviorally defined disorder.There is a relationship between zinc (Zn) levels in autistic patients and development of pathogenesis, but the conclusion is not permanent.

Materials & Methods: The present study conducted to estimate this probability using meta-analysis method.

Feature-based classification of human transcription factors into hypothetical sub-classes related to regulatory function.

Background: Transcription factors are key proteins in the regulation of gene transcription. An important step in this process is the opening of chromatin in order to make genomic regions available for transcription. Data on DNase I hypersensitivity has previously been used to label a subset of transcription factors as Pioneers, Settlers and Migrants to describe their potential role in this process.

Whole-exome sequencing of familial cases of multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF) reveals new DNAH1 mutations.

Study Question: Can whole-exome sequencing (WES) of patients with multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF) identify causal mutations in new genes or mutations in the previously identified dynein axonemal heavy chain 1 (DNAH1) gene?

Summary Answer: WES for six families with men affected by MMAF syndrome allowed the identification of DNAH1 mutations in four affected men distributed in two out of the six families but no new candidate genes were identified.

What Is Known Already: Mutations in DNAH1, an axonemal inner dynein arm heavy chain gene, have been shown to be responsible for male infertility due to a characteristic form of asthenozoospermia called MMAF, defined by the presence in the ejaculate of spermatozoa with a mosaic of flagellar abnormalities including absent, coiled, bent, angulated, irregular and short flagella.

Study Design, Size, Duration: This was a retrospective genetics study of patients presenting a MMAF phenotype.

Bacteriophages and phage-inspired nanocarriers for targeted delivery of therapeutic cargos.

The main goal of drug delivery systems is to target therapeutic cargoes to desired cells and to ensure their efficient uptake. Recently a number of studies have focused on designing bio-inspired nanocarriers, such as bacteriophages, and synthetic carriers based on the bacteriophage structure. Bacteriophages are viruses that specifically recognize their bacterial hosts.

Fabrication and characterization of PVA/Gum tragacanth/PCL hybrid nanofibrous scaffolds for skin substitutes.

In this work three dimensional biodegradable nanofiberous scaffolds containing poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and gum tragacanth (GT) were successfully fabricated through two nozzles electrospinning process. For this purpose, PVA/GT blend (Blend: B) solution (60:40wt%) was injected from one syringe and poly(ε-caprolactone) solution from the other one. Presence of PVA and PCL in the formulation improved the electrospinning process of GT solution and mechanical properties of the fabricated nanofibers.

Human Endogenous Retroviral Genetic Element With Immunosuppressive Activity in Both Human Autoimmune Diseases and Experimental Arthritis.

Objective: Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are remnants of past retroviral infections in the human genome and have been implicated in different aspects of human biology. The aim of this study was to identify HERVs that are associated with the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: The study subjects included 45 female patients with SLE and 50 healthy controls matched for geographic area, age, and sex.

Blood Levels of Oxidant/Antioxidant Parameters in Rats Infected with .

Toxoplasmosis is a common parasitic infection in the world. Since increased free radicals and oxidative stress are reported in many parasitic diseases the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the oxidative stress in acute and chronic toxoplasmosis. RH strains of tachyzoites were used in the present study.

Platelet function in baboons and humans - A comparative study of whole blood using impedance platelet aggregometry (Multiplate®).

Background: Platelets play a pivotal role in coagulation, inflammation and wound healing. Suitable animal models that have the potential to mimic human platelet function are limited. The objective of the current study was to compare platelet aggregation response in the whole blood of baboons and humans using impedance aggregometry.

Antibacterial performance and in vivo diabetic wound healing of curcumin loaded gum tragacanth/poly(ε-caprolactone) electrospun nanofibers.

In this study we describe the potential of electrospun curcumin-loaded poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL)/gum tragacanth (GT) (PCL/GT/Cur) nanofibers for wound healing in diabetic rats. These scaffolds with antibacterial property against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus as gram positive bacteria and extended spectrum β lactamase as gram negative bacteria were applied in two forms of acellular and cell-seeded for assessing their capability in healing full thickness wound on the dorsum of rats. After 15days, pathological study showed that the application of GT/PCL/Cur nanofibers caused markedly fast wound closure with well-formed granulation tissue dominated by fibroblast proliferation, collagen deposition, complete early regenerated epithelial layer and formation of sweat glands and hair follicles.