Accelerated Aging Effect on the Stability of the 3D-Printed Biodegradable Implant for Bone Defect Repairs.

This article presents an evaluation of the accelerated aging impact on the structural properties of biodegradable PLA/HAp implants produced using 3D printing technology for use in traumatic bone defect repairs in individual patients. The designed biodegradable implants were sterilized with a radiation dose of 25 ± 0.99% kGy, then exposed to an accelerated aging process.

Loss of HIV candidate vaccine efficacy in male macaques by mucosal nanoparticle immunization rescued by V2-specific response.

Systemic vaccination of macaques with V1-deleted (ΔV1) envelope immunogens reduce the risk of SIV acquisition by approximately 60%, with protective roles played by V2-specific ADCC and envelope-specific mucosal IL-17NKp44 innate lymphoid cells (ILCs). We investigated whether increased mucosal responses to V2 benefit vaccine efficacy by delivering oral nanoparticles (NPs) that release V2-scaffolded on Typhoid Toxin B (TTB) to the large intestine. Strikingly, mucosal immunization of male macaques abrogated vaccine efficacy with control TTB or empty NPs, but vaccine efficacy of up to 47.

Complete Rescue of HTLV-1 Infectivity by Depletion of Monocytes Together with NK and CD8 T Cells.

The transient depletion of monocytes alone prior to exposure of macaques to HTLV-1 enhances both HTLV-1 (wild type) and HTLV-1 (Orf-1 knockout) infectivity, but seroconversion to either virus is not sustained over time, suggesting a progressive decrease in virus expression. These results raise the hypotheses that either HTLV-1 persistence depends on a monocyte reservoir or monocyte depletion provides a transient immune evasion benefit. To test these hypotheses, we simultaneously depleted NK cells, CD8 T cells, and monocytes (triple depletion) prior to exposure to HTLV-1 or HTLV-1.

In Vivo Treatment with Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 Reduces CCR5 Expression on Vaccine-Induced Activated CD4 T-Cells.

At the heart of the DNA/ALVAC/gp120/alum vaccine's efficacy in the absence of neutralizing antibodies is a delicate balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory immune responses that effectively decreases the risk of SIV acquisition in macaques. Vaccine efficacy is linked to antibodies recognizing the V2 helical conformation, DC-10 tolerogenic dendritic cells eliciting the clearance of apoptotic cells via efferocytosis, and CCR5 downregulation on vaccine-induced gut homing CD4 cells. RAS activation is also linked to vaccine efficacy, which prompted the testing of IGF-1, a potent inducer of RAS activation with vaccination.

Vaccine plus microbicide effective in preventing vaginal SIV transmission in macaques.

The human immunodeficiency virus epidemic continues in sub-Saharan Africa, and particularly affects adolescent girls and women who have limited access to antiretroviral therapy. Here we report that the risk of vaginal simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) acquisition is reduced by more than 90% using a combination of a vaccine comprising V1-deleted (V2 enhanced) SIV envelope immunogens with topical treatment of the zinc-finger inhibitor SAMT-247. Following 14 weekly intravaginal exposures to the highly pathogenic SIV, 80% of a cohort of 20 macaques vaccinated and treated with SAMT-247 remained uninfected.

Effect of Passive Administration of Monoclonal Antibodies Recognizing Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) V2 in CH59-Like Coil/Helical or β-Sheet Conformations on Time of SIV Acquisition.

The monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) NCI05 and NCI09, isolated from a vaccinated macaque that was protected from multiple simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) challenges, both target an overlapping, conformationally dynamic epitope in SIV envelope variable region 2 (V2). Here, we show that NCI05 recognizes a CH59-like coil/helical epitope, whereas NCI09 recognizes a β-hairpin linear epitope. , NCI05 and, to a lesser extent, NCI09 mediate the killing of SIV-infected cells in a CD4-dependent manner.

HIV vaccine candidate efficacy in female macaques mediated by cAMP-dependent efferocytosis and V2-specific ADCC.

The development of an effective vaccine to protect against HIV acquisition will be greatly bolstered by in-depth understanding of the innate and adaptive responses to vaccination. We report here that the efficacy of DNA/ALVAC/gp120/alum vaccines, based on V2-specific antibodies mediating apoptosis of infected cells (V2-ADCC), is complemented by efferocytosis, a cyclic AMP (cAMP)-dependent antiphlogistic engulfment of apoptotic cells by CD14 monocytes. Central to vaccine efficacy is the engagement of the CCL2/CCR2 axis and tolerogenic dendritic cells producing IL-10 (DC-10).

The Care of Adults with Intellectual Disabilities: Informal (Family) Caregivers' Perspectives.

Context: The care of adults with intellectual disabilities is marginalized and rarely studied in Poland. In recent years, this issue has gained particular importance, partly due to the increasing life expectancy of people with ID. This paper presents a study of the function of informal caregivers for adults with ID, comprising parents who provide regular, constant, physical and emotional support and assistance with everyday activities to their adult children.

Transient Viral Activation in Human T Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1-Infected Macaques Treated With Pomalidomide.

Human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) persists in the host despite a vigorous immune response that includes cytotoxic T cells (CTL) and natural killer (NK) cells, suggesting the virus has developed effective mechanisms to counteract host immune surveillance. We recently showed that treatment of HTLV-1-infected cells with the drug pomalidomide (Pom) increases surface expression of MHC-I, ICAM-1, and B7-2, and significantly increases the susceptibility of HTLV-1-infected cells to NK and CTL killing, which is dependent on viral expression. We reasoned that by restoring cell surface expression of these molecules, Pom treatment has the potential to reduce virus burden by rendering infected cells susceptible to NK and CTL killing.

Design of New Concept of Knitted Hernia Implant.

A knitted implant, unilaterally modified with plasma-assisted chemical-vapor deposition (PACVD), and with a nano-layer of fluorine derivative supplementation, for reducing the risk of complications related to adhesions, and the formation of a thick postoperative scar was prepared. The biological evaluation of designed or modified medical devices is the main aspect of preclinical research. If such studies use a medical device with prolonged contact with connective tissue (more than 30 days), biocompatibility studies require a safety assessment in terms of toxicity in vitro and in vivo, allergenicity, irritation, and cancerogenicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity.

Plasmid Mediated Colistin-Resistance in Clinical Extraintestinal Strains Isolated in Poland.

The growing incidence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria is an inexorable and fatal challenge in modern medicine. Colistin is a cationic polypeptide considered a "last-resort" antimicrobial for treating infections caused by MDR Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. Plasmid-borne colistin resistance emerged recently, and could potentially lead to essentially untreatable infections, particularly in hospital and veterinary (livestock farming) settings.

Expression of AraC/XylS stress response regulators in two distinct carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter cloacae ST89 biotypes.

Background: The growing incidence of MDR Gram-negative bacteria is a rapidly emerging challenge in modern medicine.

Objectives: We sought to establish the role of intrinsic drug-resistance regulators in combination with specific genetic mutations in 11 Enterobacter cloacae isolates obtained from a single patient within a 7 week period.

Methods: The molecular characterization of eight carbapenem-resistant and three carbapenem-susceptible E.

Activity of Ceftazidime-Avibactam Alone and in Combination with Ertapenem, Fosfomycin, and Tigecycline Against Carbapenemase-Producing .

The aim of this study was to investigate the synergy between ceftazidime-avibactam, ertapenem, fosfomycin, and tigecycline against carbapenemase-producing using the test MIC:MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) ratio synergy method. The results were interpreted using fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) to describe the effects of antimicrobial combinations . To assess the clinical significance of each antibiotic combination, the susceptible breakpoint index (SBPI) was calculated for each combination, and within each strain.

Molecular and Supramolecular Changes in Polybutylene Succinate (PBS) and Polybutylene Succinate Adipate (PBSA) Copolymer during Degradation in Various Environmental Conditions.

In this paper, the influence of the various degradation conditions, on the molecular and supramolecular structure of polybutylene succinate (PBS) and polybutylene succinate adipate (PBSA) copolymer during degradation is described. The experiment was carried out by the use of injection molded samples and normalized conditions of biodegradation in soil, composting and artificial weathering. Materials were studied by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) coupled with multiangle laser light scattering (MALLS) detection and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD).

Serum zinc concentrations correlate with mental and physical status of nursing home residents.

Introduction: Zinc (Zn) is one of the most important trace elements in the body. Zn deficiency seems to play a role in the development of age-related diseases and impairment of quality of life. Zn status has been especially studied in free-living or hospitalised people, but data from older residents of nursing homes are scarce.

Injectable and thermogelling hydrogels of PCL-g-PEG: mechanisms, rheological and enzymatic degradation properties.

We report new injectable and thermosensitive hydrogels from polycaprolactone-graft-polyethylene glycol (PCL-g-PEG). The PCL-g-PEG polymer aqueous solution was injectable and formed a physical hydrogel at human body temperature. The rheological properties, sol-gel transition mechanisms, and in vitro degradation properties of PCL-g-PEG hydrogels were investigated.

[Percutaneous angioplasty of the left renal artery in a patient with acute infarction of the left kidney with persistent occlusion of the right renal artery treated with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor].

A case of a 67 year-old woman with acute renal syndrome during treatment of angiotensin converting enzyme is presented. In angiography was affirmed acute occlusion left renal artery (LRA) with chronic occlusion right renal artery. Percutaneous angioplasty with implantation stent of the LRA were performed with optimal effect.

[Zinc and copper in diets of people living in the social nursing home in Białystok].

The aim of the work was the estimation zinc and copper content in collected diets of people from social nursing home in Białystok by analytical and calculating method. The content of microelements in diets was estimated by analytical method ASA and using computer program Food 2. Diets in a winter period had statistically significantly less zinc, on the average 3.

The effect of polymer composition on the gelation behavior of PLGA-g-PEG biodegradable thermoreversible gels.

Graft copolymers consisting of a poly(D,L-lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) backbone grafted with polyethylene glycol side chains were synthesized and formed thermoreversible gels in aqueous solutions that exhibited solution behavior at low temperature and sol-to-gel transitions at higher temperature. The composition of the polymer and relative amounts of polylactic acid, glycolic acid, and ethylene glycol were varied by controlling the precursor concentrations and reaction temperature. The gelation temperature could be systematically tailored from 15 to 34 degrees C by increasing the concentration of polyethylene glycol in the graft copolymer.

[Olfactory neuroblastoma in 55 year old woman].

In this article the authors describe a rare case of olfactory neuroblastoma in a 55-year-old woman surgically treated because of nasal polyposis. Three years earlier she had been operated for nasal polyposis on the same side in another ENT department. Unfortunately these lesions may had not been evaluated histologically.