This study explores the utilization of digital light processing (DLP) printing to fabricate complex structures using native gelatin as the sole structural component for applications in biological implants. Unlike approaches relying on synthetic materials or chemically modified biopolymers, this research harnesses the inherent properties of gelatin to create biocompatible structures. The printing process is based on a crosslinking mechanism using a di-tyrosine formation initiated by visible light irradiation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: Patients with chronic idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) commonly experience a high level of disability and low satisfaction with medical treatment. We aim to evaluate long-term functional improvement and patient satisfaction in IIH patients with similar symptoms by comparing venous sinus stenting (VSS) to standard medical therapy.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire study of 111 IIH patients, comparing 37 adult female patients who underwent venous sinus stenting with 74 patients treated medically.
Background: Pediatricians play an important role in the early detection and prompt treatment of ocular disorders in children, including red eye disease. Our aim was to examine the knowledge level of pediatricians regarding treating children with red eye disease, as well as the factors that affect the knowledge level, and the potential implications of a low level of knowledge.
Methods: In this correlational quantitative study, 152 expert pediatricians completed a questionnaire that included questions on knowledge, attitudes, and experience in treating red eye disease.
Aims: Characterise T-cell receptor gene (TR) repertoires of small intestinal T cells of patients with newly diagnosed (active) coeliac disease (ACD), refractory CD type I (RCD I) and patients with CD on a gluten-free diet (GFD).
Methods: Next-generation sequencing of complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) of rearranged T cell receptor β (TRB) and γ (TRG) genes was performed using DNA extracted from intraepithelial cell (IEC) and lamina propria cell (LPC) fractions and a small subset of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples obtained from CD and non-CD (control) patients. Several parameters were assessed, including relative abundance and enrichment.
The small intestinal (SI) epithelium harbors a heterogeneous population of lymphocytes that mediate mucosal damage and repair in celiac disease (CD). The composition and roles of human proximal SI intra-epithelial innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), and their alterations in CD, are not well understood. We report that duodenal intra-epithelial ILCs predominantly consist of natural killer (NK)p44 CD127 cytotoxic ILC1s and NKp44 CD127 helper ILC1s, while ILC3s only represent a minor population.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe cell fate decision between interferon-producing plasmacytoid DC (pDC) and antigen-presenting classical DC (cDC) is controlled by the E protein transcription factor TCF4 (E2-2). We report that TCF4 comprises two transcriptional isoforms, both of which are required for optimal pDC development in vitro. The long Tcf4 isoform is expressed specifically in pDCs, and its deletion in mice impaired pDCs development and led to the expansion of non-canonical CD8 cDCs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Geriatr Psychiatry
July 2016
Objective: Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) is a neurological disorder of emotional expression, characterized by uncontrollable episodes of crying or laughing in patients with certain neurological disorders affecting the brain. The purposes of this study were to estimate the prevalence of PBA in US nursing home residents and examine the relationship between PBA symptoms and other clinical correlates, including the use of psychopharmacological medications.
Methods: A retrospective study was conducted between 2013 and 2014 with a convenience sample of residents from nine Michigan nursing homes.
Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are primary producers of type I interferon (IFN) in response to viruses. The IFN-producing capacity of pDCs is regulated by specific inhibitory receptors, yet none of the known receptors are conserved in evolution. We report that within the human immune system, receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase sigma (PTPRS) is expressed specifically on pDCs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are specialized in rapid and massive secretion of type I interferon (IFN-α/β) in response to foreign nucleic acids. Combined with their antigen presentation capacity, this powerful functionality enables pDCs to orchestrate innate and adaptive immune responses. pDCs combine features of both lymphocytes and classical dendritic cells and display unique molecular adaptations to nucleic acid sensing and IFN production.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe interferon-producing plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) share common progenitors with antigen-presenting classical dendritic cells (cDCs), yet they possess distinct morphology and molecular features resembling those of lymphocytes. It is unclear whether the unique cell fate of pDCs is actively maintained in the steady state. We report that the deletion of transcription factor E2-2 from mature peripheral pDCs caused their spontaneous differentiation into cells with cDC properties.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBim, a BH3-only Bcl-2 family member, is required for apoptosis of thymocytes in response to negative selection signals. Regulation of the apoptotic activity of Bim during negative selection is not understood. In this study we demonstrate that in murine thymocytes undergoing apoptosis in response to anti-CD3epsilon injection, levels of Bim protein expression do not change.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Biochem Biophys Methods
January 2002
Biotechnical and biomedical approaches were combined in an attempt to identify potential uses of biofabricated marine carbonate materials in biomedical applications, particularly as biomatrices for remodeling bone and cartilage tissue. After grafting, it is desirable for bone ingrowth to proceed as quickly as possible because the strength of the implanted region depends on a good mechanical bond forming between the implant and surrounding regions in the body. Ingrowth can take place as a result of growth of tissue and cells into the implanted porous material, or it may be promoted by transplanting cells seeded onto such a material.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExaminations of 407 patients with angiological disorders of the fundus oculi (diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein thrombosis, central chorioretinal dystrophy, retinal angiitis) revealed relapsing hemorrhagic syndrome in 40% (170) patients. No thrombocytopenia was revealed in any of the patients, which suggests qualitative impairment of platelets in such patients. Evaluation of the platelet aggregation coefficient (PAC) using thrombin aggregation inducers and adenosine diphosphate disodium revealed a statistically significant decrease of PAC for one or both aggregants in all 170 patients with the hemorrhagic syndrome, which indicated platelet dysfunction.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTrabecular endothelium and collagen fibers of the posterior wall of Schlemm's channel, obtained in sinusotrabeculectomy from patients with various stages of primary open-angle glaucoma were examined by electron microscopic and biochemical methods. Endothelial cell destruction, damage, rejection, and dissociation in intertrabecular space, progressing in severity, were observed. "Denudation" and degradation of collagen fibers and fibrils were observed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFActivated autoplasma (AAP) was used in the treatment of patients with central chorioretinal dystrophy and diabetic retinopathy. The therapeutic effect of AAP injected intrabulbarly and its effect on platelet aggregation in the peripheral blood after intramuscular and intravenous injections were assessed. Intravenous AAP was found to exert a manifest disaggregating effect, whereas intramuscular injections did not affect platelet aggregation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPerfusion pressure in ophthalmic vessels was measured by computer-aided ophthalmodynamography in health, stenoses of the internal carotid artery, and open-angle glaucoma. A total of 70 subjects were examined. Stenoses of the internal carotid artery are associated with a noticeable reduction of perfusion pressure on the side of stenosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFClinical use of eye drops of a hybrid beta-alpha-adrenoblocker OF-4680 to reduce intraocular pressure has shown a high efficacy of the drug, not inferior to thymolol, for local hypotensive therapy of open-angle glaucoma. A combination of thymolol with taurin helped reduce the inhibiting effect of the beta-blocker on chamber humor secretion and simultaneously enhanced its discharge. The results evidence the desirability of correcting glutathion deficiency, detected in the patients with narrow-angle glaucoma, by lipoic acid.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA total of 151 patients with open-angle glaucoma, 23 ones with closed angle glaucoma, and 57 ones with age-associated cataracts were examined. The reference group consisted of 21 subjects with posttraumatic cataracts (1.5 years after the injury) and normal subjects.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExperiments including previous installations of promethazine (pipolphen) into the conjunctival sac followed by the topical administration of beta-adrenergic blocker timolol or a sympathomimetic drug isoptoepinal (adrenaline) have been performed on 24 rabbits (48 eyes). The substantial changes in the action mode of the mentioned drugs as the enhancement of their hypotensive effect on the intraocular pressure (IOP) have been demonstrated under the performance of the above mentioned procedure. When applied after promethazine instillations, timolol induced significantly increased outflow facility of the aqueous humor that was not usually noted in the cases of timolol topical instillations without a pretreatment of the eye with promethazine.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe paper gives the comparative results of Doppler examination of blood flow in the mother-placenta-fetus system and morphological examination of the vessels of the funis, placenta, and placental bed. The latter examination allowed all the cases of placentomaternal and placentofetal circulatory diseases to be divided into 3 groups. There was a clear-cut correlation between the Doppler metric and morphological findings.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe comparison of the spiral uterine arteries structure, umbilical vessels and placenta is performed in 16 women with normal haemodynamics and in 31 women with disturbances of mother-foetus circulation, and the data obtained were compared with results of dopplerometry made before the delivery. Three clinical groups are distinguished according to the predominant localization of the resistance to the blood flow: the first--with the domination of the spiral arteries obliteration (lack of gestational changes, hyperplastic arteriosclerosis) with a characteristic ultrastructural pathology of the syncytiotrophoblast microvilli, rheological disturbances in the intervillous space and large necroses of villi; the second--with a predominance of early immaturity of the stroma and capillaries or sclerosis and compression of foetal villous capillaries, i. e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDoppler studies in 102 women with uncomplicated pregnancies have indicated that uteroplacental and fetoplacental circulations as low-resistant vascular systems develop at 13-16 week's gestation. Doppler examination early in the second trimester allows one to identify hemodynamic disorders in the materno-placental-fetal unit and predict their onset as well as toxemia of pregnancy and intrauterine growth retardation.
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