A Simple and Cost-Effective FeCl-Catalyzed Functionalization of Cellulose Nanofibrils: Toward Adhesive Nanocomposite Materials for Medical Implants.

In the present work, we explored Lewis acid catalysis, via FeCl, for the heterogeneous surface functionalization of cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs). This approach, characterized by its simplicity and efficiency, facilitates the amidation of nonactivated carboxylic acids in carboxymethylated cellulose nanofibrils (c-CNF). Following the optimization of reaction conditions, we successfully introduced amine-containing polymers, such as polyethylenimine and Jeffamine, onto nanofibers.

Trabecular Titanium for Orthopedic Applications: Balancing Antimicrobial with Osteoconductive Properties by Varying Silver Contents.

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) and implant loosening are the most common complications after joint replacement surgery. Due to their increased surface area, additively manufactured porous metallic implants provide optimal osseointegration but they are also highly susceptible to bacterial colonization. Antibacterial surface coatings of porous metals that do not inhibit osseointegration are therefore highly desirable.

3D-printed porous Ti6Al4V alloys with silver coating combine osteocompatibility and antimicrobial properties.

Additive manufacturing allows for the production of porous metallic implants for use in orthopaedics, providing excellent mechanical stability and osseointegration. However, the increased surface area of such porous implants also renders them susceptible to bacterial colonization. In this work, two trabecular porous Ti6Al4V alloys produced by electron beam melting were investigated for their osteocompatibility and antimicrobial effects, comparing samples with a silver-coated surface to uncoated samples.

Long-Term Comparison of 7 SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Assays in the North Zealand Covid-19 Cohort.

Background: Throughout the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic numerous severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibody assays have been approved through Emergency Use Authorization and require further evaluation of sensitivity and specificity in clinical laboratory settings prior to implementation.

Methods: We included 1733 samples from 375 PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2-positive individuals of the North Zealand Covid-19 Cohort in an 8-month period. We investigated diagnostic sensitivity and specificity against consensus and PCR and interassay agreement over time for 5 SARS-CoV-2 immunoassays [Roche-nucleocapsid (NC)-total, Roche-receptor binding domain (RBD)-total, Siemens-RBD-IgG, Siemens-RBD-total, Thermo Fisher Scientific (TFS)-RBD-IgG] commercially available on automated platforms and 2 ELISA assays (TFS-RBD-total, Wantai-RBD-total).

Fractionated free fatty acids and their relation to diabetes status after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: A cohort study.

Bariatric surgery is associated with near-immediate remission of type 2 diabetes and recently suggested as a treatment for type 2 diabetes. Specifically, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass has been a focus of much research, but still, the mechanisms of action are only partly elucidated. We aim to investigate whether some mechanisms might be mediated by free fatty acids (FFAs).

Reduction of oxidative stress on DNA and RNA in obese patients after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery-An observational cohort study of changes in urinary markers.

Increased oxidative stress in obesity and diabetes is associated with morbidity and mortality risks. Levels of oxidative damage to DNA and RNA can be estimated through measurement of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2´-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanosine (8-oxoGuo) in urine. Both markers have been associated with type 2 diabetes, where especially 8-oxoGuo is prognostic for mortality risk.

Intestinal sensing and handling of dietary lipids in gastric bypass-operated patients and matched controls.

Background: Altered meal-related gut hormone secretion seems important for weight loss and diabetes remission after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Elucidating the responsible meal components and receptors could aid discovery of new treatments of obesity and diabetes. Enteroendocrine cells respond to digestion products of dietary triacylglycerol, especially long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs) and 2-oleoyl-glycerol (2-OG), but not medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs).

Oxidatively generated modifications to nucleic acids in vivo: Measurement in urine and plasma.

Background: The oxidized guanine nucleosides, 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanosine (8-oxoGuo), derived from DNA and RNA, respectively, were used to investigate the importance of oxidative stress to nucleic acids in vivo. High urinary excretion of 8-oxodG is associated with cancer development, whereas high urinary excretion of 8-oxoGuo is associated with mortality in type 2 diabetes. Like creatinine, these small water-soluble molecules are not reabsorbed in the kidney.

Phosphatidylcholine and its relation to apolipoproteins A-1 and B changes after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a cohort study.

Background: Phosphatidylcholine (PC), the most abundant of the phospholipids, has several metabolic functions in organs such as the liver and the intestine, important structural- and signaling functions in biological membranes, and might have a role in the effects of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), an operation known to ameliorate metabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes. We hypothesized that serum PC, as a reflection of phospholipid metabolism, changes after RYGB, and that changes are related to weight loss and possibly to changes in glucose metabolism (reflected in the HbA1c-level) as well as to changes in serum Apo A1, Apo B and Apo B/Apo A1 ratio.

Methods: In a cohort of 220 RYGB patients, we studied changes in serum PC after RYGB in relation to serum Apo A1 and Apo B, the main apolipoproteins in HDL- and LDL/VLDL-particles, respectively, up to 2 years following RYGB-surgery.

A Novel Mutation of the Calcium-Sensing Receptor Gene Causing Familial Hypocalciuric Hypercalcemia Complicates Medical Followup after Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: A Case Report and a Summary of Mutations Found in the Same Hospital Laboratory.

Heterozygous inactivating mutations in the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) gene are known to cause familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH), usually a benign form of hypercalcemia without symptoms of a disrupted calcium homeostasis. FHH can be mistaken for the more common primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), for which surgical treatment may be needed. We describe a case of a 36-year-old woman with hypercalcemia and elevated PTH, initially suspected of having PHPT.

Changes in Serum Sphingomyelin After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery Are Related to Diabetes Status.

Metabolic surgery is superior to lifestyle intervention in reducing weight and lowering glycemia and recently suggested as treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Especially Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) has been focus for much research, but still the mechanisms of action are only partly elucidated. We suggest that several mechanisms might be mediated by sphingolipids like sphingomyelin.

Comparison of two immunoassay systems for hCGβ and PAPP-A in prenatal screening for trisomy 21, 18, and 13 in the first trimester.

Objectives: The biochemical serum markers free β-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCGβ) and pregnancy associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A), used in screening for trisomy 21 (T21), trisomy 18 (T18), and trisomy 13 (T13) during the first trimester, can be measured on different laboratory instruments e.g. Kryptor (Brahms) and Cobas (Roche).

Gastric bypass surgery reveals independency of obesity and diabetes melitus type 2.

Background: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery is widely applied to ameliorate morbid obesity, including diabetes in people with type 2 diabetes. The latter vanish a few days after surgery for many, but not in all patients before any weight reduction has occurred. The explanation for this change in metabolic status is poorly understood, but the observation may suggest that the fate obesity and diabetes is only partly linked after surgery.

In Vitro and In Vivo Response to Low-Modulus PMMA-Based Bone Cement.

The high stiffness of acrylic bone cements has been hypothesized to contribute to the increased number of fractures encountered after vertebroplasty, which has led to the development of low-modulus cements. However, there is no data available on the in vivo biocompatibility of any low-modulus cement. In this study, the in vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo biocompatibility of two types of low-modulus acrylic cements, one modified with castor oil and one with linoleic acid, were evaluated using human osteoblast-like cells and a rodent model, respectively.

Porosity prediction of calcium phosphate cements based on chemical composition.

The porosity of calcium phosphate cements has an impact on several important parameters, such as strength, resorbability and bioactivity. A model to predict the porosity for biomedical cements would hence be a useful tool. At the moment such a model only exists for Portland cements.

The effect of unsaturated fatty acid and triglyceride oil addition on the mechanical and antibacterial properties of acrylic bone cements.

Acrylic bone cements have an elastic modulus several times higher than the surrounding trabecular bone. This has been hypothesized to contribute to certain clinical complications. There are indications that the addition of specific fatty acids and triglyceride oils may reduce the elastic modulus of these types of cements.

Osteogenic potential of Sr-doped calcium phosphate hollow spheres in vitro and in vivo.

Treatment of osteoporotic fractures with conventional surgical methods is associated with a high rate of complications. Intense search for new treatment options includes development of specific biomaterials aimed to be part of the surgical armamentarium. Strontium doped calcium phosphate spheres (SrCPS) is a new material that might be of interest due to the influence on osteoclast and osteoblast activity.

Characteristics of Finnish and Swedish intensive care nursing narratives: a comparative analysis to support the development of clinical language technologies.

Background: Free text is helpful for entering information into electronic health records, but reusing it is a challenge. The need for language technology for processing Finnish and Swedish healthcare text is therefore evident; however, Finnish and Swedish are linguistically very dissimilar. In this paper we present a comparison of characteristics in Finnish and Swedish free-text nursing narratives from intensive care.