Camelid-derived single-chain antibodies in hemostasis: Mechanistic, diagnostic, and therapeutic applications.

Hemostasis is a complex process involving the concerted action of molecular and vascular components. Its basic understanding as well as diagnostic and therapeutic aspects have greatly benefited from the use of monoclonal antibodies. Interestingly, camelid-derived single-domain antibodies (sdAbs), also known as VH or nanobodies, have become available during the previous 2 decades as alternative tools in this regard.

A single-domain antibody that blocks factor VIIa activity in the absence but not presence of tissue factor.

Background: Activated factor VII (FVIIa) is pertinent to the initiation of blood coagulation. Proteolytic and amidolytic activity of FVIIa are greatly enhanced by its cofactor, tissue factor (TF).

Objective: We aimed to generate a single-domain antibody (sdAb) that recognizes free FVIIa rather than TF-bound FVIIa.

Antibodies in the Treatment of Haemophilia A-A Biochemical Perspective.

Replacement therapy has been proven effective in the management of bleedings in haemophilia A. Nevertheless, this approach comes with several shortcomings, like the need for frequent intravenous infusions and the development of neutralizing antibodies in 20 to 30% of the patients with severe haemophilia A replacement. This has led to the development of novel strategies to expand the spectrum of treatment options, some of which are based on antibody technology.

Quality assurance of falls reduction in an orthopaedic ward using a novel bedside trolley table set-up strategy.

Objective: To assess whether a novel bedside trolley table set-up decreased inpatient falls (IF) postintervention.

Methods: From December 2012 to December 2014, geriatric patients admitted to our orthopaedic ward with extreme falls risk had a bedside trolley placed between them and a floor sensor mat to give responders more time to prevent IF. Pre- and postintervention falls data was reviewed for falls reduction using falls per month as comparison standard.

Cholesterol crystallization in human atherosclerosis is triggered in smooth muscle cells during the transition from fatty streak to fibroatheroma.

Recent studies have shown that in addition to being major constituents of the atheromatous core, solid cholesterol crystals (CCs) promote atherosclerotic lesion development and rupture by causing mechanical damage and exerting cytotoxic and pro-inflammatory effects. These findings suggest that targeting CCs might represent a therapeutic strategy for plaque stabilization. However, little is known about how cholesterol crystallization is initiated in human atherothrombotic disease.

[Total trapeziectomy with suspension and interposition tendinoplasty for trapeziometacarpal osteoarthrisis: results at 6.5 years average follow-up].

Objectives: Total trapeziectomy remains the main surgical treatment of trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis. Little has been reported on the long-term results of this technique. We report in this study our experience with our technique of trapeziectomy associated with interposition and suspension tendinoplasty using the abductor pollicis longus tendon with 78 months average follow-up.

[Re-education in biofeedback: role in terminal constipation in children].

Background: Chronic constipation with or without encopresis is often associated with abnormal defecation dynamics evidenced by manometric study and possibly manageable with biofeedback treatment.

Patients And Methods: Twenty-six children more than 5 years of age suffering from constipation with or without encopresis for at least 6 months were treated with biofeedback plus lactulose; 15 of them were also given psychiatric attention. Pressure recordings from the internal and external sphincters in response to transient balloon distension of the rectum were obtained in all patients as did the recto-anal inhibitory reflex and the rectal sensitivity.