Decreased circulating dipeptidyl peptidase-4 enzyme activity is prognostic for severe outcomes in COVID-19 inpatients.

To investigate the serum circulating DPP4 activity in patients with COVID-19 disease. Serum samples from 102 hospitalized COVID-19 patients and 43 post-COVID-19 plasma donors and 39 SARS-CoV-2 naive controls and their medical data were used. Circulating DPP4 activities according to different COVID-19 disease peak severity (WHO) groups at sampling and at peak were assessed.

Osteoscopy for assessment of blood supply to the femoral head: a preliminary study.

Objectives: The aim of our study was to develop a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure (osteoscopy), which is capable of visualizing blood supply and quantitatively assessing circulation to the femoral head at the time of definitive surgery.

Methods: The new diagnostic technique was developed in animal experiments (four piglets) and was subsequently tested in nine consecutive patients requiring surgery for a femoral neck fracture. The direct visualization of the femoral head circulation was performed in the mortise prepared for the implant.

Polymethyl-methacrylate-sorbitol-based capsules as local drug delivery vehicles: an in vitro antibiotic elution study.

A PMMA (polymethyl-methacrylate)-sorbitol-based capsule system was recently developed, and the permeability of 16 types of capsules with different wall thicknesses and sorbitol contents tested. By optimizing these two parameters, we showed that capsule permeability could be controlled. Promising preliminary data obtained using BPB (Bromophenol Blue) as diffusion marker prompted us to further investigate the antibiotic release of capsules showing the most appropriate release characteristics.

Polymethyl-methacrylate-sorbitol-based capsules as local drug delivery vehicles: a preliminary study.

Local delivery of antibiotics via PMMA (polymethyl-methacrylate) has been widely used in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis for over 40 years. Unfortunately, PMMA is water insoluble, which seriously limits antibiotic delivery. In addition, the polymerization temperature of PMMA is high, and consequently, only heat-stable antibiotics can be used.