Ionic Crosslinking of Linear Polyethyleneimine Hydrogels with Tripolyphosphate.

In this work, the mechanical properties of hydrogels based on linear polyethyleneimine (PEI) chemically crosslinked with ethyleneglycoldiglycidyl ether (EGDE) were improved by the ionic crosslinking with sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP). To this end, the quaternization of the nitrogen atoms present in the PEI structure was conducted to render a network with a permanent positive charge to interact with the negative charges of TPP. The co-crosslinking process was studied by H high-resolution magic angle spinning (H HRMAS) NMR and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) in combination with organic elemental analysis and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Prevalence of celiac disease-specific antibodies and their association with clinical status and environmental factors.

Background And Aims: Celiac disease (CeD) affects 1-2% of the world's population. The aim of this study was to relate the incidence of CeD-related serological markers to symptoms, pathologies, and environmental exposure to wheat flour, given the number of flour mills present in the region.

Materials & Methods: Serum samples were collected from 537 inhabitants from a rural city.

Two-Stage Pedestrian Detection Model Using a New Classification Head for Domain Generalization.

Pedestrian detection based on deep learning methods have reached great success in the past few years with several possible real-world applications including autonomous driving, robotic navigation, and video surveillance. In this work, a new neural network two-stage pedestrian detector with a new custom classification head, adding the triplet loss function to the standard bounding box regression and classification losses, is presented. This aims to improve the domain generalization capabilities of existing pedestrian detectors, by explicitly maximizing inter-class distance and minimizing intra-class distance.

Linear Polyethyleneimine-Based and Metal Organic Frameworks (DUT-67) Composite Hydrogels as Efficient Sorbents for the Removal of Methyl Orange, Copper Ions, and Penicillin V.

This research explores the integration of DUT-67 metal organic frameworks into polyethyleneimine-based hydrogels to assemble a composite system with enough mechanical strength, pore structure and chemical affinity to work as a sorbent for water remediation. By varying the solvent-to-modulator ratio in a water-based synthesis path, the particle size of DUT-67 was successfully modulated from 1 μm to 200 nm. Once DUT-67 particles were integrated into the polymeric hydrogel, the composite hydrogel exhibited enhanced mechanical properties after the incorporation of the MOF filler.

Dynamic regulation of inter-organelle communication by ubiquitylation controls skeletal muscle development and disease onset.

Ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) dysfunction is associated with the pathology of a wide range of human diseases, including myopathies and muscular atrophy. However, the mechanistic understanding of specific components of the regulation of protein turnover during development and disease progression in skeletal muscle is unclear. Mutations in , an E3 ubiquitin ligase cullin3 (CUL3) substrate-specific adapter protein, result in severe congenital nemaline myopathy, but the events that initiate the pathology and the mechanism through which it becomes pervasive remain poorly understood.

Non-Canonical WNT/Wnt5a Pathway Activity in Circulating Monocytes of Untreated Psoriatic Patients: An Exploratory Study of Its Association with Inflammatory Cytokines and Cardiovascular Risk Marker-ADAMTS7.

The leading cause of death in psoriasis is cardiovascular disease. The determinants that induce the increase in this risk are not known. The systemic inflammatory process is dependent on lymphocytes and monocytes, as has been proposed.

New Markers for Cardiovascular Disease in Psoriatic Patients: Preliminary Study on Monocyte Phenotype, ADAMTS7, and mTOR Activity.

Psoriasis is a skin disease with occasional involvement of non-cutaneous territories. Beyond the usual, cardiovascular events are more frequent in these patients and correlate only partially with disease activity, suggesting the presence of other unknown factors. We selected ten psoriatic patients without treatment in the last year and matched them for age and gender with eleven healthy subjects.

Collagen Hydrogels Loaded with Silver Nanoparticles and Cannabis Sativa Oil.

Wounds represent a major healthcare problem especially in hospital-associated infections where multi-drug resistant strains are often involved. Nowadays, biomaterials with therapeutic molecules play an active role in wound healing and infection prevention. In this work, the development of collagen hydrogels loaded with silver nanoparticles and oil extract is described.

The impact of livestock grazing on the evapotranspiration-vegetation biomass relationship in a Southern Hemisphere salt marsh, Buenos Aires (Argentina).

Among the ecosystem services provided by salt marshes is the use of their natural vegetation as pastures for livestock production. As a result, the prediction of biomass productivity can be of great interest for the sustainable management of these environments. Evapotranspiration is one of the variables most used to estimate the yield of green biomass in pastures and crops, which to date has not been examined for natural environments such as salt marshes.

Supramolecular effect of acetate on chitin gelling medium: Structural properties and protein interaction.

In this work, the influence of Sodium Acetate Trihydrate (SAT) on the gelling stage of a chitin hydrogel was studied. Characterization techniques, such as FTIR, Raman, solid-state NMR, Dielectric Spectroscopy, Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), Wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to study the effect of SAT on the micro and nanostructure of the material in the wet, dry and freeze-dried states. It was demonstrated that the amount of SAT in the gelling solution can induce a variation in the supramolecular interaction among the polysaccharide chains, which leads to a change in the structural characteristics.

Subconjunctival Injections of Mitomycin C Are Associated with a Lower Incidence of Hypertensive Phase in Eyes with Ahmed Glaucoma Valve.

Purpose: To evaluate the association of intraoperative and postoperative subconjunctival injections of mitomycin C (MMC) and rate of the hypertensive phase after implantation of the Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV).

Design: Comparative case series.

Participants: This retrospective comparative study included 37 eyes of 35 patients with uncontrolled glaucoma on maximum tolerated medical therapy who underwent implantation of AGV by a single surgeon.

Ethnicity-Specific Database Improves the Diagnostic Ability of Peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness to Detect Glaucoma.

Purpose: To determine the changes in optical coherence tomography (OCT) color probability codes and diagnostic ability for peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) and ganglion cell complex (GCC) analysis after applying Chinese and white subjects normative databases.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Methods: This study enrolled 219 healthy eyes (108 white and 111 Chinese patients) to construct an ethnicity-specific normative database for pRNFL and macular GCC thickness, which was tested then in 180 eyes with or without glaucoma (102 white and 78 Chinese patients).

Effect of general anaesthesia on intraocular pressure in paediatric patients: a systematic review.

Objectives: Assessment of the impact of general anaesthetic agents on intraocular pressure (IOP) in children via systematic review.

Methods: Pubmed, Embase, and CENTRAL databases were systematically searched to identify randomised controlled trials, prospective, and interventional studies. The search included all studies through October 5, 2018 with no date or language restrictions.

Comparison between single and multi-locus approaches for specimen identification in Mytilus mussels.

Mytilus mussels have been the object of much research given their sentinel role in coastal ecosystems and significant value as an aquaculture resource appreciated for both, its flavour and nutritional content. Some of the most-studied Mytilus species are M. edulis, M.

Development of Silver Nanoparticles/Gelatin Thermoresponsive Nanocomposites: Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity.

Background: Skin and soft tissue infections involve microbial invasion of the skin and underlying soft tissues. To overcome this problem, nanocomposites were obtained using gelatin as a biopolymer scaffold and silver nanoparticles as a wide spectrum antimicrobial agent. Water and glycerol have been used as solvents for the gelatin hydrogel synthesis.

Dexamethasone turns tumor antigen-presenting cells into tolerogenic dendritic cells with T cell inhibitory functions.

Background: Dendritic cells (DCs) are usually immunogenic, but they are also capable of inducing tolerance under anti-inflammatory conditions. Immunotherapy based on autologous DCs loaded with an allogeneic melanoma cell lysate (TRIMEL/DCs) induces immunological responses and increases melanoma patient survival. Glucocorticoids can suppress DC maturation and function, leading to a DC-mediated inhibition of T cell responses.

Neurotrophic keratitis after micropulse transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation.

Purpose: To report two cases of neurotrophic keratitis (NK) after micropulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (MP-TCP).

Observations: Two patients with predisposing factors for decreased corneal sensation developed NK 1 month after MP-TCP. Both patients did not heal with initial treatment with topical antibiotic and preservative free artificial tears.

Dodecenylsuccinic anhydride modified collagen hydrogels loaded with simvastatin as skin wound dressings.

Skin wound healing presents a unique challenge because of its complex healing process. Herein, we developed a hydrophobic wound dressing to incorporate simvastatin, which has potential application in the treatment of ulcers and prevention of wound infection. For that matter, collagen hydrogels were grafted with dodecenylsuccinic anhydride (DDSA).

Anterior Segment Parameters of Filipino-Americans Compared to Chinese-Americans and Caucasian Americans Using Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography.

Purpose: We compare anterior segment characteristics of Filipino- versus Chinese- and Caucasian-Americans to describe the differences in risk factors among each ethnic group.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among Filipino, Chinese, and Caucasian subjects without glaucoma who underwent a standardized set of ocular examinations and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (Visante ASOCT) imaging. Zhongshan Angle Assessment Program (ZAAP) 4 was used for ASOCT image analysis.

How to Predict Intraocular Pressure Reduction after Cataract Surgery? A Prospective Study.

: To evaluate the best formula to predict intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction after cataract surgery. : In this prospective longitudinal study, we included consecutive patients with or without glaucoma, either with open or with narrow angles but without peripheral anterior synechiae, who underwent phacoemulsification. Clinical factors and anterior segment parameters measured with optical biometry and optical coherence tomography were evaluated as preoperative predictors for IOP reduction at 6 months postoperatively.

Accelerated collagen cross-linking in the management of advanced Acanthamoeba keratitis.

Purpose: To report our initial experience in the treatment of Acanthamoeba keratitis with accelerated corneal collagen cross-linking.

Methods: Retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with Acanthamoeba keratitis with progressive corneal melting who were treated with accelerated collagen cross-linking.

Results: A total of 6 eyes (5 patients) were reviewed.

Relationship of lifestyle, exercise, and nutrition with glaucoma.

Purpose Of Review: Although reducing the intraocular pressure (IOP) through medications, laser or surgery remains the primary means of glaucoma treatment, there is increasing evidence during the last decade that environmentally modifiable factors may help to prevent glaucoma or its progression through different mechanisms that may or may not involve lowering IOP. Additionally, patients are increasingly interested in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and taking an active role in the management of their disease. Therefore, the aim of this review is to summarize the current evidence regarding environmentally modifiable factors such as lifestyle, exercise, and nutrition in the pathogenesis of glaucoma.

Post-phacoemulsification iris changes in eyes with glaucoma or glaucoma suspect status.

Purpose: This prospective study used anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) to determine how phacoemulsification (phaco) changes iris parameters in eyes with glaucoma or glaucoma suspect status.

Methods: Using Visante AS-OCT (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG), the following pre- and post-phaco parameters were measured: IT750 = iris thickness at 750 μm from the scleral spur; IT2000 = iris thickness 2000 μm from the scleral spur; ITCM = the maximum iris thickness at the middle one third of the iris; ICURV = iris curvature; IAREA = iris area; and pupil size = pupil diameter (mm). Only high-quality images with an identifiable scleral spur were included, and only the nasal quadrant was analyzed.