Self-adjuvanted L-arginine-modified dextran-based nanogels for sustained local antigenic protein delivery to antigen-presenting cells and enhanced cellular and humoral immune responses.

In the development of cancer vaccines, antigens are delivered to elicit potent and specific T-cell responses to eradicate tumour cells. Nonetheless, successful vaccines are often hampered by the poor immunogenicity of tumour antigens, rapid clearance by the innate immunity, and limited cross-presentation on MHC-I to activate CD8 T-cells arm. To address these issues, we developed dextran-based nanogels to promote antigen uptake, storage, and cross-presentation on MHC-I, while directing immunogenic maturation of the antigen-presenting cells (APCs).

Vaccine delivery by zwitterionic polysaccharide-based hydrogel microparticles showing enhanced immunogenicity and suppressed foreign body responses.

The controlled release of antigens from injectable depots has been actively pursued to achieve long-lasting immune responses in vaccine development. Nonetheless, subcutaneous depots are often susceptible to foreign body responses (FBRs) dominated by macrophage clearance and fibrotic encapsulation, resulting in limited antigen delivery to target dendritic cells (DCs) that bridge innate and adaptive immunity. Here, we aim to develop a long-term antigen depot that can bypass FBR and engage DCs to mature and migrate to lymph nodes to activate antigen-specific T-cells.

Low-intensity low-frequency ultrasound mediates riboflavin delivery during corneal crosslinking.

We employed the mechanical effect from 40 kHz ultrasound (US) to improve the delivery of riboflavin into corneal stroma for collagen crosslinking, which can benefit the treatment of keratoconus and other corneal ectasias. Experiments were conducted, first with porcine corneas ex vivo and then with New Zealand white rabbits in vivo, at varying mechanical index (MI) and sonication time. Results showed that 15 min of US applied on the cornea at MI = 0.

Droplet-Based Microfluidic Synthesis of Hydrogel Microparticles via Click Chemistry-Based Cross-Linking for the Controlled Release of Proteins.

Hydrogel microparticles (HMPs) have been widely applied in biological, pharmacologic, and biomedical industries due to their versatility. Particle size is a paramount factor for controlling drug release profiles from HMPs. Conventional fabrication methods such as bulk emulsion, coacervation, and spray drying do not offer a precise size control and high reproducibility, which may compromise the utility of HMPs for controlled release.

The effect of polysaccharide-based hydrogels on the response of antigen-presenting cell lines to immunomodulators.

Hydrogel presents as foreign material to the host and participates in immune responses, which skew the biofunctions of immunologic loads (antigen and adjuvants) during DC priming. This study aims to investigate the effect of the hydrogel made from different polysaccharides on macrophage (RAW264.7) activation and DC (JAWSII) modulation.

Collection of 125 oocytes in an in vitro maturation cycle using a new oocyte collection technique: a case report.

Background: We have developed a new oocyte collection technique applicable to use in women with "string-of-pearls" polycystic ovaries undergoing in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes for in vitro fertilization.

Case: A 34-year-old woman with polycystic ovary syndrome and infertility underwent IVM. Her ovaries had the string-of-pearls appearance on ultrasound, and antral follicle counts were consistently less than 60.

Live birth following serial vitrification of embryos and PGD for fragile X syndrome in a patient with the premutation and decreased ovarian reserve.

Purpose: To present a live birth resulting from serial vitrification of embryos and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD).

Methods: A 31-year-old with primary infertility, fragile-X premutation, and decreased ovarian reserve (DOR) (baseline FSH level 33 IU/L), presented after failing to stimulate to follicle diameters >10 mm with three cycles of invitro fertilization (IVF). After counseling, the couple opted for serial in-vitro maturation (IVM), embryo vitrification, and genetic testing using array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) and PGD.

Normal birth following PGD for reciprocal translocation after serial vitrification of oocytes from a poor responder: a case report.

This case study reports the first successful birth outcome following preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for a chromosome translocation in embryos generated by serial vitrification of oocytes. A couple presented to the fertility clinic with 2 years of primary infertility. The woman was diagnosed with poor ovarian reserve and her partner was diagnosed with severe oligoteratozoospermia and the reciprocal translocation 46,XY,t(1;7)(p36.

In vitro degradation behavior of microspheres based on cross-linked dextran.

The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro degradation of hydroxyl ethyl methacrylated dextran (dex-HEMA) microspheres. Dextran microspheres were incubated in phosphate buffer pH 7.4 at 37 degrees C, and the dry mass, mechanical strength, and chemical composition of the microspheres were monitored in time.

[Accuracy of endoscopic ultrasonographic impression compared with pathologic diagnosis in gastrointestinal submucosal tumors].

Background/aims: Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is a valuable imaging modality for the evaluation of gastrointestinal submucosal tumor (SMT). EUS is helpful in assessing the layer of origin, tumor diameter, shape, border characteristics, and internal echo patterns of SMTs and thus makes it possible to predict histologic diagnosis with educated guess. However, some studies have found no significant differences in EUS features between benign and malignant mesenchymal tumors.