Tumor Regression Following Engineered Polyomavirus-Specific T Cell Therapy in Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Refractory Merkel Cell Carcinoma.

Although immune check-point inhibitors (CPIs) revolutionized treatment of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), patients with CPI-refractory MCC lack effective therapy. More than 80% of MCC express T-antigens encoded by Merkel cell polyomavirus, which is an ideal target for T-cell receptor (TCR)-based immunotherapy. However, MCC often repress HLA expression, requiring additional strategies to reverse the downregulation for allowing T cells to recognize their targets.

A facile strategy to prepare ZSM-5-based composites with enhanced light olefin selectivity and stability in the HTO process.

In this study, the influence of different ZSM-5 composite materials (ASA, γ-alumina, η-AlO, SiO, and attapulgite) and their performance in the -hexane catalytic cracking process in a fixed bed microreactor at 550 °C under atmospheric pressure was studied. XRD, FT-IR spectroscopy, NH-TPD, BET, FE-SEM, and TG analyses were performed to characterize the catalysts. The result of the -hexane to olefin process indicated that the A2 catalyst (γ-alumina composition with ZSM-5) showed the highest conversion of 98.

The effects of spaced transcranial Direct Current Stimulation combined with conventional dysphagia therapy in Parkinson's disease: A case report.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system that is characterized by a set of motor and non-motor symptoms. Impaired swallowing or dysphagia is one relatively common motor symptom in patients with PD. We investigated whether neuroplasticity induction by spaced transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) combined with conventional swallowing therapy leads to long-lasting effects on swallowing ability in patients with PD.

Clinical and paraclinical evaluation of partial nephrectomy using laparoscopy and open surgery in dogs: new suturing technique.

Partial nephrectomy, using open surgery or laparoscopy, is a standard surgical approach to treat renal disorders. The objective of this study was to compare and evaluate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy using figure eight ligation technique. Mixed-breed dogs were randomly dedicated for partial nephrectomy using laparoscopy (n=6) and open surgery (n=6).

Comparison between two portal laparoscopy and open surgery for ovariectomy in dogs.

Ovariectomy (OVE) is a routine surgical procedure for neutering in small animal practice. Laparoscopy is a new surgical technique which contains advantages such as less trauma, smaller incision and excellent visualization than traditional open surgery. The present study was conducted to examine the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic procedure through two portal comparing with the conventional open surgery for OVE in healthy female bitches (n=16).

Comparative evaluation of two reconstructive methods following laparoscopic assisted subtotal gastrectomy in dogs.

Background: Laparoscopic gastrectomy is a new and technically challenging surgical procedure with potential benefit. The objective of this study was to investigate clinical and para-clinical consequences following Roux-en-Y and Jejunal Loop interposition reconstructive techniques for subtotal gastrectomy using laparoscopic assisted surgery.

Results: Following resection of the stomach attachments through a laparoscopic approach, stomach was removed and reconstruction was performed with either standard Roux-en-Y (n = 5) or Jejunal Loop interposition (n = 5) methods.

Comparison between single and three portal laparoscopic splenectomy in dogs.

Background: Single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) is a newly growing technique to replace a more invasive conventional multiple portal laparoscopic surgery. The objective of this study was to compare single (SILS) with three portal (Conventional) laparoscopic splenectomy in dogs. Mongrel dogs (n = 18), weighting 15 ± 3 kg, were selected for this study (n = 12 SILS; n = 6 conventional).

Comparative evaluation of conventional and transvaginal laparoscopic ovariohysterectomy in dogs.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of a transvaginal approach for laparoscopic ovariohysterectomy (OVH) in dogs and to compare it with conventional laparoscopic OVH.

Study Design: Prospective study.

Animals: Adult healthy female mixed breed dogs (n = 24).

Single-layer versus double-layer laparoscopic intracorporeally sutured gastrointestinal anastomoses in the canine model.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the gross and histopathologic changes following 1- versus 2-layer hand-sewn suture techniques in laparoscopic gastrointestinal anastomosis in dogs.

Methods: This was an experimental prospective study of 16 healthy mixed breed male and female dogs. Animals were randomly divided into 2 groups.

Endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux using calcium hydroxyl apatite in dogs.

Background: Injection of biomaterial to suburetral region, using minimally invasive procedure, has become an interesting topic for urologists to treat vesicoureteral reflux. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of injecting newly introduced calcium hydroxyl apatite to suburetral region, for treating an experimentally induced vesicoureteral reflux in dogs.

Findings: Bilateral vesicoureteral refluxed (VUR) mixed breed dogs (n = 12; 10-15 kg live weight, 3-6 months of age) were selected for this study.

Determination of the time required for appropriate chemical de-epithelialization of an ileal segment for cystoplasty: an animal model.

Unlabelled: Another group of authors from Iran attempted experimentally to determine the required time for the appropriate enzymatic treatment of the ideal segment to complete de-epithelialization, thus reducing its absorptive function. They found that 25 min of enzymatic treatment of the ideal segment was adequate for this, and that it was recommended from their experimental study for cystoplasty.

Objectives: To determine the time required for the appropriate enzymatic treatment of an ileal segment to de-epithelialize its mucosa and to reduce its absorptive function for cystoplasty in dogs.