Kidney-Derived ECM Hydrogels as Cell Delivery Devices.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents a significant global health challenge, as emphasized by its increasing prevalence and limited treatment options. Stem cell-based therapies are promising alternatives for CKD treatment. In particular, adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) have emerged as an attractive candidate cell source.

Silver Cross-Linking of Silk Sericin-Based Hydrogels for Improved Stability and Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Properties.

Silk sericin (SS), a biocompatible protein derived from silkworms, exhibits valuable properties for medicinal applications, including antioxidant activity and cell growth support. However, their rapid degradation limits their practical use. This study introduces silver ions (Ag) as a dual-function cross-linking agent to enhance the structural and functional properties of SS-based hydrogels.

Dietary profiles of wild carnivores and Blastocystis occurrence: The case of the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) and systematic review.

Recent molecular and metagenomic studies have revealed that the obligate anaerobic protist Blastocystis is found more prevalently and with higher subtype diversities in herbivore species than in carnivore species. However, information on wild carnivore species is scarce. Here, we investigated the presence of Blastocystis by molecular methods in fecal DNA samples of free-ranging and captive Iberian lynxes from Spain (n = 243) and Portugal (n = 30).

The effect of conditioned medium from human amniotic membrane-derived mesenchymal stem cells on thymus involution.

Aims: The development and selection of T cells occur within the thymus. This organ involutes throughout life, compromising the generation of T cells and, consequently, the efficacy of the immune system. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have beneficial effects on the immune system.

Evaluation of Echinacea purpurea Extracts as Immunostimulants: Impact on Macrophage Activation.

has been traditionally used to strengthen the immune system. Therefore, herein, we investigated the potential of aqueous extracts (AEs) obtained from flowers (F), leaves (L), or roots (R) as an immune booster in human primary monocyte-derived macrophages (hMDMs). Additionally, to identify the main class of compounds (phenolic/carboxylic acids vs.

Career Length After Surgically Treated ACL Plus Collateral Ligament Injury in Elite Athletes.

Background: Limited data are available regarding career length and competition level after combined anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial- or lateral-sided surgeries in elite athletes.

Purpose: To evaluate career length after surgical treatment of combined ACL plus medial collateral ligament (MCL) and ACL plus posterolateral corner (PLC) injuries in elite athletes and, in a subgroup analysis of male professional soccer players, to compare career length and competition level after combined ACL+MCL or ACL+PLC surgeries with a cohort who underwent isolated ACL reconstruction (ACLR).

Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Microfluidic-Derived Docosahexaenoic Acid Liposomes for Targeting Glioblastoma and Its Inflammatory Microenvironment.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant primary brain tumor, characterized by limited treatment options and a poor prognosis. Its aggressiveness is attributed not only to the uncontrolled proliferation and invasion of tumor cells but also to the complex interplay between these cells and the surrounding microenvironment. Within the tumor microenvironment, an intricate network of immune cells, stromal cells, and various signaling molecules creates a pro-inflammatory milieu that supports tumor growth and progression.

Laparoscopic-assisted Resection of a Retroperitoneal Lumbar Nerve Root Neurofibroma: A Case Report.

We present a case of a 59-year-old patient with chronic low back pain, caused by a retroperitoneal intraneural tumour. Laparoscopic excision was performed and histology revealed a spinal nerve root neurofibroma. Post-operatively, the patient developed partial motor and sensitive deficits due to tumoral nerve entrapment, with progressive recovery with rehabilitation.

Antimicrobial properties of hindered amine light stabilizers in polymer coating materials and their mechanism of action.

UV-stabilizers are a class of additives that provide extended polymer resistance to UV-degradation, but have also been suggested to have antimicrobial activity, potentially preventing the spread of pathogens, and inhibiting microbial-induced biodegradation. In this work, we incorporated different UV-stabilizers, a hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS), Tinuvin 770 DF and Tinuvin PA 123, or a hybrid HALS/UV-absorber, Tinuvin 5151, in polyurethane formulations to produce lacquer-films, and tested their antimicrobial activity against (methicillin-resistant and -sensitive strains), and . Lacquer-films incorporated with Tinuvin 770 DF showed strong antimicrobial performance against bacteria and fungi, while maintaining cytocompatibility.

The Potential of the Fibronectin Inhibitor Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser in the Development of Therapies for Glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most lethal and common malignant primary brain tumor in adults. An important feature that supports GBM aggressiveness is the unique composition of its extracellular matrix (ECM). Particularly, fibronectin plays an important role in cancer cell adhesion, differentiation, proliferation, and chemoresistance.

Decellularized kidney extracellular matrix-based hydrogels for renal tissue engineering.

Kidney regeneration is hindered by the limited pool of intrinsic reparative cells. Advanced therapies targeting renal regeneration have the potential to alleviate the clinical and financial burdens associated with kidney disease. Delivery systems for cells, extracellular vesicles, or growth factors aimed at enhancing regeneration can benefit from vehicles enabling targeted delivery and controlled release.

Intracellular Trafficking of Size-Tuned Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery.

Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) are widely used as drug delivery systems in nanomedicine. Despite their widespread application, a comprehensive understanding of their intracellular trafficking remains elusive. In the present study, we focused on exploring the impact of a 20 nm difference in size on NP performance, including drug delivery capabilities and intracellular trafficking.

COX-2 inhibitor delivery system aiming intestinal inflammatory disorders.

Selective COX-2 inhibitors such as etoricoxib (ETX) are potentially indicated for the treatment of intestinal inflammatory disorders. However, their systemic administration provokes some off-site secondary effects, decreasing the desirable local effectiveness. To circumvent such limitations, herein an ETX delivery system based on electrospun fibrous meshes (eFMs) was proposed.

Diaphragmatic hernia repair porcine model to compare the performance of biodegradable membranes against Gore-Tex.

Background: Patch repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) using Gore-Tex is associated with infection, adhesions, hernia recurrence, long-term musculoskeletal sequels and poor tissue regeneration. To overcome these limitations, the performance of two novel biodegradable membranes was tested to repair CDH in a growing pig model.

Methods: Twelve male pigs were randomly assigned to 3 different groups of 4 animals each, determined by the type of patch used during thoracoscopic diaphragmatic hernia repair (Gore-Tex, polycaprolactone electrospun membrane-PCLem, and decellularized human chorion membrane-dHCM).

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of L. Roots and Aerial Parts Extracts.

Natural products, mainly plants, have a crucial role in folk medicine. Particularly, L. has been traditionally used in Mongolian medicine to treat various diseases, including chronic tracheitis, tuberculosis, and psoriasis.

Severe Hypertriglyceridemia: A 10-Year Review in a Portuguese Hospital.

Introduction: Severe hypertriglyceridemia (SHTG) is a rare condition associated with serious complications, such as acute pancreatitis (AP), and the best treatment is still a matter of discussion. The aim of this study is to outline the demographics, management, and outcomes (recurrence and mortality) of complications in patients with SHTG.

Material And Methods: A retrospective, observational, and analytical study was carried out by obtaining clinical data from the electronic health records of patients with SHTG admitted to the Internal and Intensive Medicine units from the 1 of January 2009 to the 31 of December 2020 in a university hospital.

Microfluidic Devices: A Tool for Nanoparticle Synthesis and Performance Evaluation.

The use of nanoparticles (NPs) in nanomedicine holds great promise for the treatment of diseases for which conventional therapies present serious limitations. Additionally, NPs can drastically improve early diagnosis and follow-up of many disorders. However, to harness their full capabilities, they must be precisely designed, produced, and tested in relevant models.

Functional recovery of injured cavernous nerves achieved through endogenous nerve growth factor-containing bioactive fibrous membrane.

Radical prostatectomy is a highly successful treatment for prostate cancer, among the most prevalent manifestations of the illness. Damage of the cavernous nerve (CN) during prostatectomy is the main cause of postoperative erectile dysfunction (ED). In this study, the capability of a personalized bioactive fibrous membrane to regenerate injured CN was investigated.

Synthesis and Anti-Inflammatory Evaluation of a Library of Chiral Derivatives of Xanthones Conjugated with Proteinogenic Amino Acids.

In recent decades, the relationship between drug chirality and biological activity has been assuming enormous importance in medicinal chemistry. Particularly, chiral derivatives of xanthones (CDXs) have interesting biological activities, including enantioselective anti-inflammatory activity. Herein, the synthesis of a library of CDXs is described, by coupling a carboxyxanthone () with both enantiomers of proteinogenic amino esters as chiral building blocks (-), following the chiral pool strategy.

Combination Therapy With CD147-Targeted Nanoparticles Carrying Phenformin Decreases Lung Cancer Growth.

Lung cancer is one of the most fatal cancers worldwide. Resistance to conventional therapies remains a hindrance to patient treatment. Therefore, the development of more effective anti-cancer therapeutic strategies is imperative.

Moyamoya Disease and Syndrome in Caucasian Patients.

Moyamoya disease is a unique cerebrovascular disease characterized by narrowing of the terminal portion of internal carotid arteries and circle of Willis, with consequent development of a network of collateral vessels in response to brain ischemia. Moyamoya vascular pattern can be idiopathic (Moyamoya disease), is more likely to occur in individuals of Asian ascent and in the pediatric age, or is associated with other diseases (Moyamoya syndrome). We present two cases of stroke in young adults, where workup revealed Moyamoya-type vascular changes.

Size-Dependent Polymeric Nanoparticle Distribution in a Static versus Dynamic Microfluidic Blood Vessel Model: Implications for Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery.

Nanoparticles (NPs) have been widely investigated in the nanomedicine field. One of the main challenges is to accurately predict the NP distribution and fate after administration. Microfluidic platforms acquired huge importance as tools to model the environment.

The Influence of Feeder Cell-Derived Extracellular Matrix Density on Thymic Epithelial Cell Culture.

The thymus is responsible for the selection and development of T cells, having an essential role in the establishment of adaptive immunity. Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are key players in T cell development interacting with thymocytes in the thymic 3D environment. Feeder-layer cells have been frequently used as platforms for the successful establishment of TEC cultures.