Assessment of Bioprotect's Biodegradable Balloon System as a Rectal Spacer in Radiotherapy: An Animal Study on Tissue Response and Biocompatibility.

Prostate cancer is a significant health concern for men, emphasizing the need for effective treatment strategies. Dose-escalated external beam radiotherapy shows promise in improving outcomes but presents challenges due to radiation effects on nearby structures, such as the rectum. Innovative techniques, including rectal spacers, have emerged to mitigate these effects.

Compounds originating from the edible mushroom inhibit tropomyosin receptor kinase B activity.

Tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) serves as a pivotal factor in various cancers. To identify novel natural compounds with TrkB-inhibiting properties, a screening approach was applied using extracts from a collection of wild and cultivated mushroom fruiting bodies, and Ba/F3 cells that ectopically express TrkB (TPR-TrkB). We selected mushroom extracts that selectively inhibited proliferation of the TPR-TrkB cells.

Preclinical In Vivo Safety of Poly-Phosphorylated Superlubrication Vectors for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) can lead to a significant functional disability. Poly[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl phosphorylcholine] (pMPC) liposomes are a novel treatment modality for OA, intended to restore the natural lubrication properties of articular cartilage. Here, we report on two studies aimed to assess the local and systemic safety and toxicity of pMPCylated liposomes in comparison with physiological saline, in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and in sheep after a single intra-articular (IA) injection.

Toxicity and Local Tolerance of a Novel Spike Protein RBD Vaccine Against SARS-CoV-2, Produced Using the C1 Protein Expression Platform.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and there is a growing demand for safe and effective vaccines. The thermophilic filamentous fungal host, C1-cell, can be utilized as an expression platform for the rapid production of large quantities of antigens for developing vaccines. The aim of this study was to evaluate the local tolerance and the systemic toxicity of a C1-cell expressed receptor-binding domain (C1-RBD) vaccine, following repeated weekly intramuscular injections (total of 4 administrations), in New Zealand White rabbits.

Safety and Performance Evaluation of Su2ura Approximation, a New Suturing Device, in Pigs.

One of the challenging aspects of minimal invasive surgery (MIS) is intracorporal suturing, which can be significantly time-consuming. Therefore, there is a rising need for devices that can facilitate the suturing procedure in MIS. Su2ura Approximation Device (Su2ura Approximation) is a novel device developed to utilize the insertion of anchors threaded with stitches to allow a single action placement of a suture.

Safety and efficacy of sFilm-FS, a novel biodegradable fibrin sealant, in Göttingen minipigs.

Bleeding during surgical procedures is a common complication. Therefore, hemostatic agents have been developed to control bleeding, and fibrin sealants have several benefits. sFilm-FS is a novel fibrin sealant that comprises a biodegradable co-polymeric film embedded with human fibrinogen and thrombin.

Immunomodulating Effects Exerted by Glucans Extracted from the King Oyster Culinary-Medicinal Mushroom Pleurotus eryngii (Agaricomycetes) Grown in Substrates Containing Various Concentrations of Olive Mill Waste.

We have recently demonstrated that we could enhance glucan content in Pleurotus eryngii following cultivation of the mushrooms on a substrate containing different concentrations of olive mill solid waste (OMSW). These changes are directly related to the content of OMSW in the growing substrate. Using dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-in-flammatory bowel disease (IBD) mice model, we measured the colonic inflammatory response to the different glucan preparations.

Spatial Distribution of Glucan Type and Content between Caps and Stalks in : Impact on the Anti-inflammatory Functionality.

is recognized for its prominent nutritional and medicinal value. In our study, we tested the effect of glucans on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of TNF-α. We demonstrated that glucan extracts are more effective than mill mushroom preparations.

Compact MRI for the detection of teratoma development following intrathecal human embryonic stem cell injection in NOD-SCID mice.

Stem cells are emerging as a promising new treatment modality for a variety of central nervous system disorders. However, their use is hampered by the potential for the development of teratomas and other tumors. Therefore, there is a crucial need for the development of methods for detecting teratomas in preclinical safety studies.

Lens epithelial cell growth on the anterior optic of 2 hydrophobic intraocular lens models.

Purpose: To evaluate lens epithelial cell (LEC) proliferation on the anterior optic of 2 types of hydrophobic intraocular lenses (IOLs).

Setting: Harlan Biotech Israel and Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot, Israel.

Design: Experimental study.

Practical Applications of in Vivo and ex Vivo MRI in Toxicologic Pathology Using a Novel High-performance Compact MRI System.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely used in preclinical research and drug development and is a powerful noninvasive method for assessment of phenotypes and therapeutic efficacy in murine models of disease. In vivo MRI provides an opportunity for longitudinal evaluation of tissue changes and phenotypic expression in experimental animal models. Ex vivo MRI of fixed samples permits a thorough examination of multiple digital slices while leaving the specimen intact for subsequent conventional hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) histology.

Intraocular concentration of moxifloxacin after intracameral injection combined with presoaked intraocular lenses.

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of intraocular lens (IOL) moxifloxacin presoaking time on the intraocular concentration of moxifloxacin achieved after intracameral moxifloxacin injection.

Setting: Harlan Biotech Israel, Rehovot, Israel.

Design: Laboratory study

Methods: Sixty eyes of 30 rabbits were divided into 2 groups after crystalline lens evacuation.

Protective effect of different ophthalmic viscosurgical devices on corneal endothelium during severe phacoemulsification model in rabbits.

Background And Objective: To evaluate the protective effect of different ophthalmic viscosurgical devices (OVDs) on corneal endothelial cells against relatively severe phacoemulsification damage in a rabbit model.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-four rabbit eyes were randomly assigned to four similar groups: in three groups the aqueous humor was completely replaced by Visiol (TRB CHEMEDICA, München, Germany), Biolon (Bio-Technology General Ltd., Kiryat Malachi, Israel), and Viscoat (Alcon, Puurs, Belgium) and in the control group no OVD was applied.

Subcutaneous and intraperitoneal lipogranulomas following subcutaneous injection of olive oil in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Olive oil is commonly employed as a solubilizing agent for lipophilic materials in preclinical studies in rodents. Here we report that following subcutaneous (SC) injection of olive oil to Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, local SC lipogranulomas formed, which were associated with an unusual location of the same changes in the peritoneum. Macroscopically, multifocal white spots were found over the liver and mesentery.

The effect of general anesthesia on the intestinal lymphatic transport of lipophilic drugs: comparison between anesthetized and freely moving conscious rat models.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of general anesthesia on the lymphatic transport of orally administered drugs. Vitamin D(3) (0.5 mg/kg), a model lipophilic molecule with significant lymphatic transport, was administered to anesthetized rats in close proximity to the lymphatic cannulation procedure.

The role of the lymphatic system in subcutaneous absorption of macromolecules in the rat model.

The purpose of this study was to assess the contribution of lymphatics to the systemic bioavailability of macromolecules following SC administration in a rat model. The rat model included continuous lymph collection from the thoracic lymph duct and concurrent serial blood sampling from freely moving animals. A thoracic lymph duct-jugular vein shunt produced by an implanted connective cannula, and maintained during the recovery period, enabled superior rat survival and prevented lymphatic cannula occlusion.

Disseminated thrombosis-induced growth plate necrosis in rat: a unique model for growth plate arrest.

Exposure of rats to 2-butoxyethanol (BE) produces early hemolytic anemia and disseminated thrombosis. This leads to infarctions in multiple organs, including bones and cartilage. BE, administered for different durations of exposure in two separate experiments, produced metaphyseal vascular thrombosis, growth plate infarction, and partial or complete physeal growth arrest.

Histopathologic changes in dental and oral soft tissues in 2-butoxyethanol-induced hemolysis and thrombosis in rats*.

Background: 2-Butoxyethanol (2-BE; ethylene glycol monobutyl ether) is extensively used as a solvent in surface coatings, such as lacquers, enamels, and varnishes in industrial and household cleaning products. Its major toxicity is manifested in the circulation, as it induces hemolytic anemia and thrombosis in various organs. While 2-BE has been implicated in the induction of anemia in different species, the rat has proven most sensitive, especially the female of this species.

Electron microscopy of wet tissues: a case study in renal pathology.

In this report we introduce wet-tissue scanning electron microscopy, a novel technique for direct imaging of wet tissue samples using backscattered electrons. Samples placed in sealed capsules are imaged through a resilient, electron-transparent membrane. The contrast of the imaged samples may be enhanced by chemical staining.

Ocular expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1) in 2-butoxyethanol-induced hemolysis and thrombosis in female rats.

We demonstrated previously that exposure of rats to 2-butoxyethanol (BE) was associated with morphological changes in red blood cells, hemolytic anemia, and disseminated thrombosis and infarction in different organs including the eyes. In order to elucidate the mechanism of thrombosis formation, we examined in this study the histology and immunohistochemical expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), endothelial intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and P-selectin in the eyes of the female F344 rat exposed to 2, 3, or 4 daily doses of BE/250 mg/kg body weight. In this BE hemolysis and thrombosis model, positive VCAM-1 expression occurred only in eyes of rats exposed to 3 and 4 doses and was localized in the iris (epithelium lining the posterior surface, anterior mesenchymal epithelium), ciliary processes (lining epithelium, stromal cells), and retina (hypertrophic retinal pigment epithelium).

Osteonecrosis in a chemically induced rat model of human hemolytic disorders associated with thrombosis--a new model for avascular necrosis of bone.

Bone injury occurs in human hemolytic disorders associated with thrombosis, such as beta-thalassemia and sickle cell disease. Exposure of rats to 2-butoxyethanol (BE) has been associated with hemolytic anemia, disseminated thrombosis, and infarction in multiple organs including bone. This rat model apparently mimics acute hemolysis and thrombosis in humans.

2-Butoxyethanol enhances the adherence of red blood cells.

We recently presented a unique, chemically-induced rat model of hemolytic anemia and disseminated thrombosis. In this 2-butoxyethanol (BE)-induced model the organs developing infarction are comparable to those seen in human diseases, characterized by hemolysis and thrombosis (e.g.

A chemically induced rat model of hemolysis with disseminated thrombosis.

Although hemolytic anemia and thrombosis, which can be serious or even lethal, are often encountered in daily common practice, their pathogenesis has remained obscure, partially because of the absence of appropriate models. Here we present a unique chemically induced rat model of hemolytic anemia and disseminated thrombosis in which the organs developing infarction are comparable to those seen in humans. We exposed male and female Fischer F344 rats to two, three, or four daily doses of 2-butoxyethanol (BE) at 250 mg/kg body weight and examined for hemolysis and histopathological evidence of disseminated thrombosis on d 2, 3, 4, and 29.

Experimental studies on viscofluids for intraocular surgery.

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility and efficacy of using diluted viscofluids during intraocular surgery.

Setting: Laboratory for Intraocular Microsurgery and Implants, Goldschleger Eye Research Institute, and the Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.

Methods: Diluted hyaluronic acid (0.