Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation in Patients Aged 50Years or Older with Severe Aplastic Anemia.

We report on 499 patients with severe aplastic anemia aged ≥ 50years who underwent hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) from HLA-matched sibling (n = 275, 55%) or HLA-matched (8/8) unrelated donors (n = 187, 37%) between 2005 and 2016. The median age at HCT was 57.8 years; 16% of patients were 65 to 77years old.

A proteinaceous fraction of wheat bran may interfere in the attachment of enterotoxigenic E. coli K88 (F4+) to porcine epithelial cells.

Wheat bran (WB) from Triticum aestivum has many beneficial effects on human health. To the best of our knowledge, very little has been published about its ability to prevent pathogenic bacterial adhesion in the intestine. Here, a WB extract was fractionated using different strategies, and the obtained fractions were tested in different in vitro methodologies to evaluate their interference in the attachment of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) K88 to intestinal porcine epithelial cells (IPEC-J2) with the aim of identifying the putative anti-adhesive molecules.

New properties of wheat bran: anti-biofilm activity and interference with bacteria quorum-sensing systems.

Some plant extracts, have been demonstrated to interfere with the microbial metabolism of several pathogenic bacteria. Within this antimicrobial properties it has been described the potential to inhibit or destroy biofilms or to interfere in quorum-sensing (QS) systems. However, to our knowledge, no study exploring this potential of wheat-bran (WB) has been published.

In vivo screening of four phytochemicals/extracts and a fungal immunomodulatory protein against an Eimeria acervulina infection in broilers.

Background: Besides the anticoccidial drug resistance problem, increasing consumer concerns about food safety and residues have propelled the quest for alternative prevention and control strategies amongst which phytotherapy has gained appeal due to a renewed interest in natural medicine.

Objective: The objective was in vivo screening of four phytochemicals/extracts and a fungal immunomodulatory protein (FIP) against an Eimeria acervulina infection in broilers.

Animals And Methods: Four phytochemicals/extracts (extract from Echinacea purpurea, betaine (Betain™), curcumin, carvacrol (two different doses)), and a recombinant FIP from Ganoderma lucidum cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli were investigated for their anticoccidial potential.

In vivo screening of five phytochemicals/extracts and a fungal immunomodulatory protein against colibacillosis in broilers.

Five phytochemicals/extracts (an extract from Echinacea purpurea, a β-glucan-rich extract from Shiitake, betaine [Betain™], curcumin from Curcuma longa [turmeric] powder, carvacrol and also a recombinant fungal immunomodulatory protein [FIP] from Ganoderma lucidum) cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli were investigated for their anticolibacillosis potential in three chicken experiments, which were conducted in floor pens. Birds that were inoculated with E. coli intratracheally were treated with the phytochemicals/extracts or the FIP and compared with doxycycline-medicated and non-medicated infected broilers.

Reduced-intensity conditioning allogeneic stem cell transplantation with donor T-cell depletion using alemtuzumab added to the graft ('Campath in the bag').

Reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) has allowed the use of allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) for haematological malignancies in elderly patients. A major problem of this type of transplantation is the high incidence of persisting chronic graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), leading to increased morbidity and mortality. The inclusion of alemtuzumab added to the graft ('Campath in the bag') for donor T-cell depletion offers an easy procedure to diminish the incidence of GvHD.

An in vitro examination of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of buckwheat honey.

Objective: Hydroxyl radical and hypochlorite anion formed at the wound site from superoxide anion produced by activated polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) are considered important factors in impaired wound healing. Superoxide anion may also react with nitric oxide produced by macrophages to form peroxynitrite, a third strong oxidant that damages surrounding tissue. In order to select honey for use in wound-healing products, different samples were compared for their capacity to reduce levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vitro.

A simple diagnostic strategy in hospitalized patients with clinically suspected pulmonary embolism.

Objectives: Diagnostic strategies in patients with suspected pulmonary embolism have been extensively studied in outpatients; their value in hospitalized patients has not been well established. Our aim was to determine the safety and clinical utility of a simple diagnostic strategy in hospitalized patients with suspected pulmonary embolism.

Design: Prospective management study.

Accuracy of clinical decision rule, D-dimer and spiral computed tomography in patients with malignancy, previous venous thromboembolism, COPD or heart failure and in older patients with suspected pulmonary embolism.

Background: The diagnostic work-up of patients with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) has been optimized and simplified by the use of clinical decision rules (CDR), D-dimer (DD) testing and spiral computed tomography (s-CT). Whether this strategy is equally safe and efficient in specific subgroups of patients is evaluated in this study.

Methods: A diagnostic strategy including a CDR, DD test and s-CT was evaluated in patients with malignancy, previous venous thromboembolism (VTE), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or heart failure and in older patients.

Tannic acid mimicking dendrimers as small intestine submucosa stabilizing nanomordants.

Chemical stabilization resulting in increased resistance to proteolytic degradation is one of the approaches in prevention of post-implantational aneurysm development in decellularized natural vascular scaffolds. Recently, tannic acid (TA) and tannic acid mimicking dendrimers (TAMD) have been suggested as potential stabilization agents for collagen and elastin. The aim of this work was to determine the stabilizing effects of TAMD on decellularized natural scaffolds.

A novel formulation of metal ions and citric acid reduces reactive oxygen species in vitro.

Objective: Reactive oxygen species, including superoxide anions, are thought to play an important role in impairing wound healing. Additionally, superoxide anions react with nitric oxide produced by macrophages to form peroxynitrite, another strong oxidant with detrimental effects on surrounding tissue. This in vitro study investigated whether samples of metal ions and citric acid are able to reduce levels of reactive oxygen species.

Botanical health products, positioning and requirements for effective and safe use.

Within the group of botanical products there is a large range of variation with regard to their properties. Some products are identical to foods while others come close to or are medicines. Botanical products are regulated differently within the different member states of the European Union (EU) and globally.

Transaminase and alkaline phosphatase activity in the serum of burn patients treated with highly purified tannic acid.

The effects of local treatment with highly purified tannic acid (HPTA) on serum transaminase and alkaline phosphatase activity in burn patients were studied, retrospectively. Temporary elevations in the activity of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) were observed in both HPTA-treated patients and their matched controls. No statistically significant difference was found between the two patient-groups with respect to the mean enzyme activities, calculated as the areas under the curve between 5 and 15 days post-burn (PBD).

Synthesis and biological activity of polygalloyl-dendrimers as stable tannic acid mimics.

Inspired by the structure of tannic acid, first- to third-generation dendrimers containing two, four, and eight galloyl moieties were synthesized. Stability, antioxidant activity and collagen cross-linking activity of the natural product and its dendrimer analogues were compared. The experimental results indicate that polygalloyl dendrimers might be used as new lead compounds to improve the long-term healing characteristics of burn wounds.

A novel class of aromatic vitamin D analogs.

Vitamin D analogs in which the triene moiety is replaced by an aromatic ring have been synthesized and their ability to bind to the vitamin D receptor investigated.

Convergent synthesis, chiral HPLC, and vitamin D receptor affinity of analogs of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol.

A series of analogs of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol was obtained with an additional chiral center at the terminus of the aliphatic side chain (C-25). The analogs were obtained from (+)-(R)- and (-)-(S)-2-methylglycidols, by opening of the oxirane ring with the carbanions derived from vitamin D C23a,24- or C22-sulfones. The diastereomeric purity of the analogs was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography on a chiral stationary phase.

Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of side chain-unsaturated analogs of 24a,24b-dihomo-1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol.

A synthesis and an in vitro evaluation of side chain-unsaturated analogs 3 and 4 of 24a, 24b-dihomo-1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1) are described, Novel C23a, 24-vitamin D synthons (sulfone 10 and aldehyde 11) were used for the synthesis of analog 4 and for the efficient preparation of the parent compound 1. The synthetic approach developed allows the use of easily available side chain fragments, such as oxirane 12 or Wittig reagent 15 for the preparation of compound 1 and analog 4, respectively. Introduction of a 24aE double bond results in a selective, 1000-fold increase in the binding affinity of analog 4 for the vitamin D receptor, compared to the affinity of 1, whereas the affinity of 4 for the vitamin D-binding protein and the activity in stimulating the differentiation of human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells remained largely unchanged.