Ex Vivo Biomechanical Bone Testing of Pig Femur as an Experimental Model.

This study investigates the mechanical behavior of femur bones under loading conditions, focusing on the transition from elastic to plastic deformation and eventual fracture. The force-displacement curves reveal distinct phases of deformation, with an initial linear relationship indicating elastic behavior, followed by deviation from linearity marking the onset of plastic deformation. Fracture occurs beyond a critical load, leading to a sharp drop in the force-displacement curve.

Exogenous α-ketoglutarate Modulates Redox Metabolism and Functions of Human Dendritic Cells, Altering Their Capacity to Polarise T Cell Response.

Alpha-ketoglutarate (αKG) emerged as a key regulator of energetic and redox metabolism in cells, affecting the immune response in various conditions. However, it remained unclear how the exogenous αKG modulates the functions of dendritic cells (DCs), key cells regulating T-cell response. Here we found that non-toxic doses of αKG display anti-inflammatory properties in human APC-T cell interaction models.

Sitagliptin Induces Tolerogenic Human Dendritic Cells.

Sitagliptin, an anti-diabetic drug, is a dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-4/CD26 inhibitor with additional anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. In this study, we investigated for the first time the effect of sitagliptin on the differentiation and functions of human dendritic cells generated from monocytes (MoDCs) for 4 days using the standard GM-CSF/IL-4 procedure. LPS/IFN-γ treatment for an additional 24 h was used for maturation induction of MoDCs.

Could alder buckthorn (Frangula alnus Mill) be a source of chemotherapeutics effective against hepato- and colorectal carcinoma? An in vitro study.

Among numerous types of cancer, hepatocellular and colorectal carcinoma are important causes of mortality. Given the nature of these cancer types and their resistance, it is of great importance to find new chemotherapeutics and therapy targets, so plant products seem to be an excellent choice in such search. The main goal of this study was to investigate anticancer activity of Frangula alnus ethyl-acetate extract (FA) and its dominant constituent emodin (E) on hepatocellular and colorectal carcinoma cell lines, HepG2 and HCT116, as well as on normal MRC-5 fibroblasts.

Pomegranate Peel Extract Differently Modulates Gene Expression in Gingiva-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells under Physiological and Inflammatory Conditions.

Pomegranate has shown a favorable effect on gingivitis/periodontitis, but the mechanisms involved are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to test the effect of pomegranate peel extract (PoPEx) on gingiva-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (GMSCs) under physiological and inflammatory conditions. GMSC lines from healthy (H) and periodontitis (P) gingiva ( = 3 of each) were established.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells in the therapy of autoimmune diseases.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are well recognized as critical factors in the pathology of tumors. However, their roles in autoimmune diseases are still unclear, which hampers the development of efficient immunotherapies. The role of different MDSCs subsets in multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, and systemic lupus erythematosus displayed different mechanisms of immune suppression, and several studies pointed to MDSCs' capacity to induce T-helper (Th)17 cells and tissue damage.

Dysfunctions of Neutrophils in the Peripheral Blood of Children with Cystic Fibrosis.

Dysfunction of neutrophils in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) is best characterized in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), whereas peripheral blood neutrophils are less examined, and the results are contradictory, especially in younger populations. Therefore, this work aimed to study functional and phenotypic changes in circulating neutrophils in children with CF. The study included 19 CF children (5-17 years) and 14 corresponding age-matched healthy children.

Vitamin B complex suppresses neuroinflammation in activated microglia: in vitro and in silico approach combined with dynamical modeling.

Activated microglia is critically involved in the regulation of neuroinflammation/neurodegradation. Hereby, the anti-inflammatory effects of the vitamin B complex (VBC - B, B, B, B, B, and B) on the function and phenotype of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglial cells were examined in vitro. Additionally, VBC-treated microglia supernatants were evaluated on SH-SY5Y cells to investigate the effects on neurons' viability.

Retrograde calcaneo-talo-tibial nail, subtalar arthrodesis and fibula transposition in the treatment of traumatic bone and articulatory defect of the distal tibia and talocrural joint: A case report.

High-energy trauma of the lower leg can cause conditions such as bone defects, loss of the articular surface or a complex soft tissue injury. Given the type of the injury, as well as the often poor general status of the patient, the initial treatment usually consists of debridement and external fixation. The role of the retrograde calcaneo-talo-tibial nail is acknowledged in the treatment of post-traumatic arthritis of the talocrural joint, rheumatic arthritis, the neuropathic joint as well as some other conditions.

Immunomodulatory Activity of Punicalagin, Punicalin, and Ellagic Acid Differs from the Effect of Pomegranate Peel Extract.

Background: Our recent study has shown that pomegranate peel extract (PEx) showed significant immunomodulatory activity, which might be caused by ellagitannins. The aim of this work was to test the hypothesis that ellagitannin components act synergistically in the modulation of cytokine production.

Methods: Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy donors were stimulated with phytohemagglutinin and treated with different concentrations of PEx or punicalagin (PG), punicalin (PN), and ellagic acid (EA), alone or with their combinations.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells prevent disruption of the gut barrier, preserve microbiota composition, and potentiate immunoregulatory pathways in a rat model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Over-activated myeloid cells and disturbance in gut microbiota composition are critical factors contributing to the pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) emerged as promising regulators of chronic inflammatory diseases, including autoimmune diseases. However, it remained unclear whether MDSCs display any therapeutic potential in MS, and how this therapy modulates gut microbiota composition.

Phosphonate-Modified Cellulose Nanocrystals Potentiate the Th1 Polarising Capacity of Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells via GABA-B Receptor.

Purpose: Phosphonates, like 3-AminoPropylphosphonic Acid (ApA), possess a great potential for the therapy of bone tumours, and their delivery via cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) seems a promising approach for their increased efficacy in target tissues. However, the immunological effects of CNC-phosphonates have not been investigated thoroughly. The main aim was to examine how the modification of CNCs with phosphonate affects their immunomodulatory properties in human cells.

Mesenchymal Stromal Cells from Healthy and Inflamed Human Gingiva Respond Differently to .

Gingiva-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (GMSCs) have been shown to play an important role in periodontitis. However, how , one of the key etiological agents of the disease, affects healthy (H)- and periodontitis (P)-GMSCs is unknown. To address this problem, we established 10 H-GMSC and 12 P-GMSC lines.

Ex vivo study of IL-6 expression and function in immune cell subsets from human periapical lesions.

Aim: Even though IL-6 is a key inflammatory cytokine in periapical lesions (PLs), its function in stable periapical disease is unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the following: first, the ex vivo production of IL-6 by clinically different PLs; next, subsets of immune cells expressing IL-6 in PLs according to their inflammatory status and finally, modulatory effect of IL-6 on T-cell cytokine production in cell cultures.

Methodology: Inflammatory cells were isolated from a total of 95 human PLs.

Plasma-Activated Medium Potentiates the Immunogenicity of Tumor Cell Lysates for Dendritic Cell-Based Cancer Vaccines.

Autologous dendritic cells (DCs)-based vaccines are considered quite promising for cancer immunotherapy due to their exquisite potential to induce tumor antigen-specific cytotoxic T cells. However, a lack of efficient protocols for inducing immunogenic tumor antigens limits the efficacy of DC-based cancer vaccines. Here, we found that a plasma-activated medium (PAM) induces immunogenic cell death (ICD) in tumor cells but not in an immortalized L929 cell line or human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Reduced Expression of Autophagy Markers and Expansion of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells Correlate With Poor T Cell Response in Severe COVID-19 Patients.

Widespread coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 is causing pneumonia, respiratory and multiorgan failure in susceptible individuals. Dysregulated immune response marks severe COVID-19, but the immunological mechanisms driving COVID-19 pathogenesis are still largely unknown, which is hampering the development of efficient treatments. Here we analyzed ~140 parameters of cellular and humoral immune response in peripheral blood of 41 COVID-19 patients and 16 age/gender-matched healthy donors by flow-cytometry, quantitative PCR, western blot and ELISA, followed by integrated correlation analyses with ~30 common clinical and laboratory parameters.

Biocompatible Iron-Boron Nanoparticles Designed for Neutron Capture Therapy Guided by Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

The combination of multiple functions in a single nanoparticle (NP) represents a key advantage of nanomedicine compared to traditional medical approaches. This is well represented by radiotherapy in which the dose of ionizing radiation should be calibrated on sensitizers biodistribution. Ideally, this is possible when the drug acts both as radiation enhancer and imaging contrast agent.

Surgical treatment of scapular fractures: Results and complications.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to describe a surgical technique and report on patient-based functional outcomes and complications following open reduction and internal fixation in patients with scapular fractures.

Methods: The study comprised 14 patients who were treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of a scapular fractures between September 2010 and July 2018. Surgical indications were as follows: medial/lateral displacement greater than 20 mm; shortening greater than 25 mm; angular deformity greater than 40°; intra-articular step-off greater than 4 mm; and double shoulder suspensory injuries (including fracture of the clavicle, coracoid or acromion with displacement greater than 10 mm).

TREATMENT OF HUMERAL SHAFT FRACTURES: ANTEGRADE INTERLOCKING INTRAMEDULLARY NAILING WITH ADDITIONAL INTERLOCKING NEUTRALIZATION SCREWS THROUGH FRACTURE SITE.

The aim of this study was to compare union time between two different nail designs for the treatment of humeral shaft fracture, i.e. antegrade interlocking intramedullary nail with and without additional interlocking neutralization screws.

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BONE TISSUE BANK AT MOSTAR UNIVERSITY CLINICAL HOSPITAL.

Bone tissue banks are necessary for collection, production, testing, packaging, storage and delivery of bone transplants. Bone tissue bank is a link between the donor and the recipient by which the donation becomes a medium of health improvement for both the donor and the recipient. At the Department of Orthopedics, Mostar University Clinical Hospital, about 200 total hip replacements are performed year.

Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of Biodentine on human periapical lesion cells in culture.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of Biodentine eluate on cytotoxicity and production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and osteodestructive/osteoprotective cytokines in cultures of human periapical lesion cells.

Methodology: Conditioned Biodentine Medium (CBM) was prepared according to ISO 10993-12, by incubating Biodentine in RPMI medium (0.2 g mL ) for 3 days at 37 °C.

Immunological aspects of nanocellulose.

Cellulose is the most abundant natural polymer in the world. Nanoscale forms of cellulose, including cellulose nanofibers (CNF), cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and bacterial nanocellulose (BC), are very attractive in industry, medicine and pharmacy. Biomedical applications of nanocellulose in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and controlled drug delivery are the most promising.

The Effect of Stabilisation Agents on the Immunomodulatory Properties of Gold Nanoparticles Obtained by Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis.

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have been investigated extensively as drug carriers in tumour immunotherapy in combination with photothermal therapy. For this purpose, GNPs should be stabilised in biological fluids. The goal of this study was to examine how stabilisation agents influence cytotoxicity and immune response in vitro.

Prostaglanin-E2 Potentiates the Suppressive Functions of Human Mononuclear Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells and Increases Their Capacity to Expand IL-10-Producing Regulatory T Cell Subsets.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) emerged as major factors driving the tumor progression due to numerous immunosuppressive mechanisms they possess. Prostaglandin (PG)E2 is shown critical for the induction of MDSC and their suppressive functions , but it is poorly understood how it affects the capacity of MDSC to induce different subsets of regulatory T cells (Treg). By using a novel protocol for the generation of mononuclear (M)-MDSC, we showed that PGE2 potentiates the GM-CSF/IL-6-dependent induction of CD33CD11bHLA-DRCD14 M-MDSC .