Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels and kinetics of vaccine response: potential role for unresolved inflammation following recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The immune response after SARS-CoV-2 vaccine administration appears to be characterized by high inter-individual variation, even in SARS-CoV-2 positive subjects, who could have experienced different post-infection, unresolved conditions. We monitored anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels and kinetics along with circulating biomarkers in a cohort of 175 healthcare workers during early immunization with COVID-19 mRNA-LNP BNT162b2 vaccine, to identify the associated factors. Subjects with a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection were characterized by higher BMI and CRP levels and lower neutrophil count with respect to naïve subjects.

Bisphosphosphonate-calcium phosphate cement composite and its properties.

Calcium phosphate cement (CPC) has been studied extensively due to its bioactivity and biodegradability. CPC is typically made by a combination of multiple calcium phosphates that form a paste that sets and hardens in the body after being combined with either water or an aqueous solution. It is highly moldable and easily manipulated, and CPCs possess osteoconductive properties.

Reversal of Vascular Calcification and Aneurysms in a Rat Model Using Dual Targeted Therapy with EDTA- and PGG-Loaded Nanoparticles.

Degeneration of elastic lamina and vascular calcification are common features of vascular pathology such as aortic aneurysms. We tested whether dual therapy with targeted nanoparticles (NPs) can remove mineral deposits (by delivery of a chelating agent, ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA)) and restore elastic lamina (by delivery of a polyphenol, pentagalloyl glucose (PGG)) to reverse moderate aneurysm development. EDTA followed by PGG NP delivery led to reduction in macrophage recruitment, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, elastin degradation and calcification in the aorta as compared to delivery of control blank NPs.

Systemic Delivery of Nanoparticles Loaded with Pentagalloyl Glucose Protects Elastic Lamina and Prevents Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in Rats.

Degeneration of elastin plays a vital role in the pathology and progression of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Our previous study showed that pentagalloyl glucose (PGG), a core derivative of tannic acid, hinders the development of AAAs in a clinically relevant animal model when applied locally. In this study, we tested whether targeted nanoparticles (NPs) can deliver PGG to the site of an aneurysm and prevent aneurysmal growth by protecting elastin.

Hearing loss in congenital hypothalamic hypothyroidism: a wide therapeutic window.

In this study, which aims to investigate for the first time auditoty sensitivity in congenital central hypothyroidism (CH), we concluded that: (1) permanent sensorineural hearing loss may be observed not only in congenital primary disorders of thyroid function, as reported hitherto; (2) it may also be found in patients with congenital CH, at least when substitutive treatment is started many years after thyroid failure presentation; (3) the concept of a 'critical therapeutic window' in preventing hearing impairment also holds true for children with congenital CH; (4) the therapeutic window in CH is wider than in primary hypothyroidism; (5) this is probably due to the less severe thyroid impairment in the cases with a central origin of hypothyroidism. These conclusions were suggested by the following data obtained in a cohort of 10 patients with congenital CH who were euthyroid at the time of audiological evaluation thanks to long-standing substitutive therapy: (a) four out of 10 patients exhibited a bilateral sensorineural hearing loss; (b) hearing impaired patients were the oldest of the entire series at diagnosis of hypothyroidism and none of them was aged less than 7 years at the time of the start of replacement therapy; (c) a strong positive relationship was found between age at therapy start and hearing loss.