ILC2-modulated T cell-to-MDSC balance is associated with bladder cancer recurrence.

Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is a highly recurrent tumor despite intravesical immunotherapy instillation with the bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine. In a prospective longitudinal study, we took advantage of BCG instillations, which increase local immune infiltration, to characterize immune cell populations in the urine of patients with NMIBC as a surrogate for the bladder tumor microenvironment. We observed an infiltration of neutrophils, T cells, monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (M-MDSCs), and group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2).

Design and evaluation of a hybrid mock circulatory loop for total artificial heart testing.

Aims: A hybrid mock circulatory loop (MCL) was developed for total artificial heart (TAH) performance evaluation. The hybrid MCL consists of hydraulic hardware components and a software computer model.

Design: The hydraulic components are divided into the systemic and pulmonary circulation, each of which includes electrically controlled compliances, resistors, and a venous volume which can be adjusted for a wide range of physiological and pathological conditions.

Image based evaluation of mediastinal constraints for the development of a pulsatile total artificial heart.

Background: Good anatomical compatibility is an important aspect in the development of cardiovascular implants. This work analyzes the interaction of the pump unit of an electrically driven pulsatile Total Artificial Heart (TAH) and the mediastinum. For an adequate compliance, both overall dimensions and alignment of inlets and outlets must be matched.

Biowaste: a Lactobacillus habitat and lactic acid fermentation substrate.

Composite organic waste was assessed for its physical, chemical and microbial suitability to serve as a substrate for the fermentative production of lactic acid. The biowaste studied was highly acidic (pH 4.3) and had high organic carbon content (45%).