Global health diplomacy in humanitarian action.

This commentary explores the intersection of Global Health Diplomacy (GHD) and humanitarian action within Fragility, Conflict, and Violence (FCV) contexts. It aims at addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by communities living in these environments, where a convergence of multiple factors, including over 110 active armed conflicts, creates complex emergencies impact on large populations globally. This commentary holds three primary significances: 1)  it scrutinizes the profound and enduring health consequences of major humanitarian crises on last-mile populations, highlighting the pivotal role of health diplomacy for better navigating humanitarian challenges; 2) it advocates for a paradigm shift in humanitarian approaches, recognizing GHD's potential in shaping international cooperation, building consensus on inclusive global health policies, and enabling more effective interventions; 3) it underscores the operational impact of health diplomacy, both at diplomatic tables and on the frontlines of humanitarian efforts.

Sulfonated Pentablock Copolymer Coating of Polypropylene Filters for Dye and Metal Ions Effective Removal by Integrated Adsorption and Filtration Process.

In this work, we coated polypropylene (PP) fibrous filters with sulfonated pentablock copolymer (s-PBC) layers and tested them for the removal of cationic organic dyes, such as methylene blue (MB), and heavy metal ions (Fe3+ and Co2+) from water by adsorption and filtration experiments. Some of the coated filters were irradiated by UV light before being exposed to contaminated water and then were tested with unirradiated filters in the same adsorption and filtration experiments. Polymer-coated filters showed high efficiency in removing MB from an aqueous solution in both absorption and filtration processes, with 90% and 80% removal, respectively.

Glycated Albumin for Glycemic Control in T2DM Population: A Multi-Dimensional Evaluation.

Purpose: To investigate the glycated albumin (GA) introduction implications, as an add-on strategy to traditional glycemic control (Hb1Ac and fasting plasma glucose - FPG) instruments, considering insulin-naïve individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), treated with oral therapies.

Methods: A Health Technology Assessment was conducted in Italy, as a multi-dimensional approach useful to validate any innovative technology. The HTA dimensions, derived from the EUnetHTA Core Model, were deployed by means of literature evidence, health economics tools and qualitative questionnaires, filled-in by 15 professionals.

Ag/ZnO/PMMA Nanocomposites for Efficient Water Reuse.

This work attempts to produce photocatalytic surfaces for large-scale applications by depositing nanostructured coatings on polymeric substrates. ZnO/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) composites were prepared by low-temperature atomic layer deposition (ALD) of ZnO on PMMA substrates. In addition, to increase the photocatalytic and antibacterial activities of ZnO films, Ag nanoparticles were added on ZnO surfaces using plasma-enhanced ALD.

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor/transferrin fusion protein: in vivo production and functional evaluation as a potential therapeutic tool for lowering plasma LDL cholesterol.

A soluble form of human low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R) fused in frame with rabbit transferrin (LDL-Rs(hu)/Tf(rab)) is assessed in vivo as a therapeutic tool for lowering plasma LDL cholesterol. The cDNA encoding LDL-Rs(hu)/Tf(rab) is expressed in mice, using a hydrodynamics-based gene transfer procedure. The transgene is transcribed in the liver of transduced animals and the corresponding protein is secreted into the bloodstream.

Long-term beneficial effect of islet transplantation on diabetic macro-/microangiopathy in type 1 diabetic kidney-transplanted patients.

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the long-term effects of transplanted islets on diabetic macro-/microangiopathy in type 1 diabetic kidney-transplanted patients.

Research Design And Methods: A total of 34 type 1 diabetic kidney-transplanted patients underwent islet transplantation and were divided into two groups: successful islet-kidney transplantation (SI-K; 21 patients, fasting C-peptide serum concentration >0.5 ng/ml for >1 year) and unsuccessful islet-kidney transplantation (UI-K; 13 patients, fasting C-peptide serum concentration <0.

Human insulin production and amelioration of diabetes in mice by electrotransfer-enhanced plasmid DNA gene transfer to the skeletal muscle.

A first-line gene therapy for type 1 diabetes should be based on a safe procedure to engineer an accessible tissue for insulin release. We evaluated the ability of the skeletal muscle to release human insulin after electrotransfer (ET)-enhanced plasmid DNA injection in mice. A furin-cleavable proinsulin cDNA under the CMV or the MFG promoter was electrotransferred to immune-incompetent mice with STZ-induced severe diabetes.

Development and characterization of pituitary GH3 cell clones stably transfected with a human proinsulin cDNA.

Successful beta-cell replacement therapy in insulin-dependent (type I) diabetes is hindered by the scarcity of human donor tissue and by the recurrence of autoimmune destruction of transplanted beta cells. Availability of non-beta cells, capable of releasing insulin and escaping autoimmune recognition, would therefore be important for diabetes cell therapy. We developed rat pituitary GH3 cells stably transfected with a furin-cleavable human proinsulin cDNA linked to the rat PRL promoter.

Insights from a successful case of intrahepatic islet transplantation into a type 1 diabetic patient.

We report a case of long-term (>4 yr) successful intrahepatic islet transplantation into a type 1 diabetic patient chronically immunosuppressed for a prior kidney graft. The exogenous insulin requirement decreased progressively after transplantation, and insulin treatment was withdrawn at 6 months. Glycosylated hemoglobin levels were in the normal range at 1 and 2 yr (5.

Processing and release of human proinsulin-cleavage products into culture media by different engineered non-endocrine cells: a specific assessment by capillary electrophoresis.

The aim of this study was to compare the metabolic pathway to mature insulin through the intermediate forms (32-33 split, 65-66 split, des31,32 and des64,65) in human or murine cells engineered for the release of wild-type human proinsulin and in a genetically mutated one, in the search for a new approach for an insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus cure by gene therapy. Primary human fibroblasts, myoblasts and stabilized cell lines (HepG2 and NIH3T3) were transduced either with a retroviral vector coding for wild-type proinsulin or for a genetically mutated one, carrying cleavage sites sensitive to furin. The pattern of all the proinsulin cleavage products released into the cell culture supernatants was analyzed by capillary electrophoresis.

Reversal of diabetes in mice by implantation of human fibroblasts genetically engineered to release mature human insulin.

Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells in type I, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) results in the loss of endogenous insulin secretion, which is incompletely replaced by exogenous insulin administration. The functional restoration provided by allogeneic beta-cell transplantation is limited by adverse effects of immunosuppression. To pursue an insulin replacement therapy based on autologous, engineered human non-beta cells, we generated a retroviral vector encoding a genetically modified human proinsulin, cleavable to insulin in non-beta cells, and a human nonfunctional cell surface marker.

Human proinsulin production in primary rat hepatocytes after retroviral vector gene transfer.

The development of autologous somatic cells, engineered for the synthesis and release of human insulin under physiological stimuli, would certainly represent a major breakthrough in the therapy of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. We generated a retroviral vector containing the human proinsulin cDNA and the gene coding for the human nerve growth factor receptor for quantitative analysis of transduced cells. Primary rat hepatocytes were selected as target cells because of the constitutive expression of the pancreatic beta-cell glucose transporter GLUT-2 and the glycolitic enzyme glucokinase.

Insulin secretory patterns and blood glucose homeostasis after islet allotransplantation in IDDM patients: comparison with segmental- or whole-pancreas transplanted patients through a long term longitudinal study.

IDDM patients undergoing islet, segmental pancreas or whole pancreas allotransplantation were studied at regular intervals after surgery (3-6 months, 1, 2, 3 and 4 years) to evaluate glycometabolic control (24 h metabolic profile, OGTT) and serum free insulin response to insulinogenic stimuli (arginine, IVGTT). Patients received the same immunosuppressive therapy, based on cyclosporin, steroids and azathioprine. Islet transplanted patients showed: 1) an early peak of insulin secretion after arginine, that was maintained up to 4 years; 2) an early, but low peak of insulin secretion after IVGTT, which was lost at 3 years, despite evidence that islets were still functioning (insulin independence with normal HbAlc levels); 3) a diabetic-like response to OGTT at 3 months, which improved at 2 years (IGT response); 4) fasting euglycemia with mild and reversible post-prandial hyperglycemia during the 24 h metabolic profile, which was maintained for up to 2 years.

Capillary electrophoresis for simultaneous quantification of human proinsulin, insulin and intermediate forms.

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) for the simultaneous and precise quantification of human insulin (hI), proinsulin (hPI) and intermediate forms (des 31, 32; split 65-66 and des 64, 65), released in culture media by engineered cells, is described. Analytical conditions for standard proteins were optimized using a bare silica capillary (20 cm X 50 microm internal diameter). Proteins were monitored at 200 nm and separated at constant voltage.

Islet transplantation in IDDM patients.

This single-centre study investigated parameters that positively correlated with the success rate after islet allotransplantation in insulin-dependent diabetic (IDDM) patients. Twenty-one intrahepatic, fresh islet transplantations were performed in 20 IDDM patients (one patient had two transplants), after or simultaneous with kidney transplantation. The correlation between number and purity of transplanted islets and final outcome was investigated.

Metabolic effects of successful intraportal islet transplantation in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

The intraportal injection of human pancreatic islets has been indicated as a possible alternative to the pancreas transplant in insulin-dependent diabetic patients. Aim of the present work was to study the effect of intraportal injection of purified human islets on: (a) the basal hepatic glucose production; (b) the whole body glucose homeostasis and insulin action; and (c) the regulation of insulin secretion in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients bearing a kidney transplant. 15 recipients of purified islets from cadaver donors (intraportal injection) were studied by means of the infusion of labeled glucose to quantify the hepatic glucose production.

Automated large-scale isolation, in vitro function and xenotransplantation of porcine islets of Langerhans.

To evaluate the potential of utilizing porcine islet tissue as an alternative to human islet tissue for transplantation, we developed a method for the isolation of large amounts of highly purified porcine islets, and assessed the in vitro and in vivo function of the isolated islets after 1, 4, and 7 days of culture. The pancreatic duct of the splenic lobe was cannulated and distended by injection of Hanks' balanced salt solution containing 1.5 mg/ml collagenase.