Zwitterionic polymer on silicone implants inhibits the bacteria-driven pathogenic mechanism and progress of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma.

Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) occurs in the capsule surrounding breast implants. Malignant transformation of T cells by bacteria-driven chronic inflammation may be underlying BIA-ALCL mechanism. Here, we covalently grafted 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC)-based polymers on a silicone surface and examined its effects against BIA-ALCL pathogenesis.

generation of a bright blue fluorophore from 2-oxoglutarate in biological samples.

We discovered the generation of a new bright blue fluorophore from a particular type of amine and 2-oxoglutarate (2-OG) under mild conditions without any chemical additives. Two β-aminoethylamine molecules and three 2-OG molecules form an unprecedented 2-pyridone structure with a fused γ-lactam ring (DTPP) complex reactions including double decarboxylation and quintuple dehydration. The DTPP fluorophore shows a high quantum yield (80%) and photostability.

Expansion Microscopy with a Thermally Adjustable Expansion Factor Using Thermoresponsive Biospecimen-Hydrogel Hybrids.

Expansion microscopy (ExM) is a technique in which swellable hydrogel-embedded biological samples are physically expanded to effectively increase imaging resolution. Here, we develop thermoresponsive reversible ExM (T-RevExM), in which the expansion factor can be thermally adjusted in a reversible manner. In this method, samples are embedded in thermoresponsive hydrogels and partially digested to allow for reversible swelling of the sample-gel hybrid in a temperature-dependent manner.

Development of poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) films coated with biomembrane-mimicking polymers for anti-adhesion activity.

A physical barrier is one of the most effective strategies to alleviate excessive postoperative adhesion (POA) between tissues at an injury site. To overcome the limitations of current polymeric film-type physical barriers, we suggest a film of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) that is non-covalently coated with poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC)-co-n-butyl methacrylate (BMA)) (PMB). While maintaining the degradability and mechanical properties of PLGA, the PMB coating introduces strong anti-adhesive properties to the film by forming a zwitterionic MPC-based surface through the hydrophobic interactions between BMA moieties and PLGA.

Reversible Protein Conjugation on Live Cell Surfaces by Specific Recognition between Coiled-Coil Motifs of Natural Amino Acid Sequences.

In this study, we propose a reversible covalent conjugation method for peptides, proteins, and even live cells based on specific recognition between natural amino acid sequences. Two heptad sequences can specifically recognize each other and induce the formation of a disulfide bond between cysteine residues. We show the covalent bond formation and dissociation between peptides and proteins in cell-free conditions and on the surface of live cells.

Covalently Grafted 2-Methacryloyloxyethyl Phosphorylcholine Networks Inhibit Fibrous Capsule Formation around Silicone Breast Implants in a Porcine Model.

The surface of human silicone breast implants is covalently grafted at a high density with a 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC)-based polymer. Addition of cross-linkers is essential for enhancing the density and mechanical durability of the MPC graft. The MPC graft strongly inhibits not only adsorption but also the conformational deformation of fibrinogen, resulting in the exposure of a buried amino acid sequence, γ377-395, which is recognized by inflammatory cells.

Efficient reduction of fibrous capsule formation around silicone breast implants densely grafted with 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) polymers by heat-induced polymerization.

Implants based on silicone elastomers, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), have been widely used for breast augmentation and reconstruction, but excessive foreign body reactions around implants often cause serious side effects such as capsular contracture. In our previous study, we covalently grafted 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC)-based polymers on the surface of PDMS blocks by UV-induced polymerization and showed effective reduction of capsular formation around the MPC-grafted PDMS in rats. In the present study, we examined the efficacy of heat-induced polymerization of MPC grafting on silicone breast implants intended for humans, and analyzed the in vivo inhibitory effect against capsular formation and inflammation in pigs, which are closely related to humans in terms of epidermal structures and fibrotic processes.

α-Helical cell-penetrating peptide-mediated nasal delivery of resveratrol for inhibition of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition.

In the present study, we examined the potential of cell-penetrating peptide (CPP)-based intranasal drug delivery for the treatment of localized nasal diseases. Many charged or non-hydrophobic drugs have difficulty penetrating into the nasal epithelium due to intrinsic membrane impermeability and rapid mucociliary clearance in the nasal cavity. To treat chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), one of the most common localized nasal diseases, we conjugated resveratrol (RSV) to an amphiphilic α-helical leucine (L)- and lysine (K)-rich CPP (LK) and intranasally delivered it to the interior of nasal epithelial cells for inhibiting epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) caused by hypoxia-inducible factor 1α.

Scalable and Isotropic Expansion of Tissues with Simply Tunable Expansion Ratio.

Tissue expansion techniques physically expand swellable gel-embedded biological specimens to overcome the resolution limit of light microscopy. As the benefits of expansion come at the expense of signal concentration, imaging volume and time, and mechanical integrity of the sample, the optimal expansion ratio may widely differ depending on the experiment. However, existing expansion methods offer only fixed expansion ratios that cannot be easily adjusted to balance the gain and loss associated with expansion.

Calcium-Binding Polymer-Coated Poly(lactide- co-glycolide) Microparticles for Sustained Release of Quorum Sensing Inhibitors to Prevent Biofilm Formation on Hydroxyapatite Surfaces.

Quorum sensing (QS) inhibitor-based therapy is an attractive strategy to inhibit bacterial biofilm formation without excessive induction of antibiotic resistance. Thus, we designed Ca-binding poly(lactide- co-glycolide) (PLGA) microparticles that can maintain a sufficient concentration of QS inhibitors around hydroxyapatite (HA) surfaces in order to prevent biofilm formation on HA-based dental or bone tissues or implants and, therefore, subsequent pathogenesis. Poly(butyl methacrylate- co-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphate) (PBMP) contains both Ca-binding phosphomonoester groups and PLGA-interacting butyl groups.

Repeated injections of botulinum toxin-A for epiphora in lacrimal drainage disorders: qualitative and quantitative assessment.

Purpose: To report the outcome of repeated botulinum toxin-A (BTA) injections in the lacrimal glands in patients with epiphora.

Methods: We performed retrospective chart review of patients who were injected with 2.5 units of BTA in the lacrimal gland.

Generation of customized orbital implant templates using 3-dimensional printing for orbital wall reconstruction.

Objectives: To describe and evaluate a novel surgical approach to orbital wall reconstruction that uses three-dimensionally (3D) printed templates to mold a customized orbital implant.

Methods: A review was conducted of 11 consecutive patients who underwent orbital wall reconstruction using 3D-printed customized orbital implant templates. In these procedures, the orbital implant was 3D pressed during surgery and inserted into the fracture site.

Intraoperative lagophthalmos formula for levator resection in congenital ptosis.

Aim: To calculate a regression formula for intraoperative lagophthalmos to determine the amount of correction in levator resection for mild to moderate congenital ptosis.

Methods: This retrospective study included 38 eyelids from 28 consecutive children with congenital ptosis with levator function of 4 mm or better who showed satisfactory surgical outcomes defined as postoperative margin reflex distance-1 (MRD1) ≥3 mm in each eye and difference in MRD1 ≤1 mm between eyes at 6 months after levator resection. We investigated whether the degree of intraoperative lagophthalmos measured by calliper correlated with the preoperative values of MRD1, levator function and age.

Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Latency Locus Renders B Cells Hyperresponsive to Secondary Infections.

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) induces B cell hyperplasia and neoplasia, such as multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD) and primary effusion lymphoma (PEL). To explore KSHV-induced B cell reprogramming , we expressed the KSHV latency locus, inclusive of all viral microRNAs (miRNAs), in B cells of transgenic mice in the absence of the inhibitory FcγRIIB receptor. The BALB/c strain was chosen as this is the preferred model to study B cell differentiation.

mTORC2 Activity Disrupts Lysosome Acidification in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus by Impairing Caspase-1 Cleavage of Rab39a.

Lysosomes maintain immune homeostasis through the degradation of phagocytosed apoptotic debris; however, the signaling events regulating lysosomal maturation remain undefined. In this study, we show that lysosome acidification, key to the maturation process, relies on mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2), activation of caspase-1, and cleavage of Rab39a. Mechanistically, the localization of cofilin to the phagosome recruits caspase-11, which results in the localized activation of caspase-1.

Non-incisional eyelid everting suture technique for treating lower lid epiblepharon.

Background: This study investigated surgical outcomes of full-thickness eyelid everting sutures for lower lid epiblepharon and influential factors leading to surgical failure.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of patients with lower lid epiblepharon who underwent surgical correction using the full-thickness eyelid everting suture technique. Lower lid epiblepharon was assessed preoperatively using a morphological classification (class I-IV) according to the horizontal skin fold height and a functional classification (grade 0-3) according to the severity of keratopathy.

Clinicoserological factors associated with response to steroid treatment and recurrence in patients with IgG4-related ophthalmic disease.

Purpose: To investigate the factors associated with response to steroid treatment and recurrence in patients with IgG4-related ophthalmic disease (ROD).

Methods: Twenty-eight patients with biopsy-proven IgG4-ROD treated between March 2010 and January 2017 were included in this retrospective study. Clinical features, serum IgG4 levels, systemic involvement, treatments and treatment outcome, factors associated with response to treatment and recurrence were assessed.

Anti-inflammatory and Antibacterial Effects of Covalently Attached Biomembrane-Mimic Polymer Grafts on Gore-Tex Implants.

Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), also known as Gore-Tex, is widely used as an implantable biomaterial in biomedical applications because of its favorable mechanical properties and biochemical inertness. However, infection and inflammation are two major complications with ePTFE implantations, because pathogenic bacteria can inhabit the microsized pores, without clearance by host immune cells, and the limited biocompatibility can induce foreign body reactions. To minimize these complications, we covalently grafted a biomembrane-mimic polymer, poly(2-methacryloyloxylethyl phosphorylcholine) (PMPC), by partial defluorination followed by UV-induced polymerization with cross-linkers on the ePTFE surface.

Upper fornix approach combined with a superior lateral cantholysis: a minimally invasive approach to the superonasal intraconal space.

Purpose: To present a new minimally invasive approach to the deep superonasal orbit.

Methods: This retrospective study reviewed seven consecutive patients who underwent orbital surgery using an upper conjunctival fornix approach combined with a superior lateral cantholysis for tumors in the superonasal intraconal space. Charts were reviewed for demographic, radiological, clinical, and surgical data including surgical outcome and morbidities for each patient.

Cancer-associated epiphora: a retrospective analysis of referrals to a tertiary oculoplastic practice.

Aim: To report the underlying causes and treatment outcome of lacrimal drainage obstruction in patients with cancer-associated epiphora.

Methods: A single-centre retrospective review was performed for consecutive referrals to an oculoplastic surgeon for cancer-associated epiphora between 2010 and 2016. Charts were reviewed for underlying neoplastic conditions, pharmacy records, radiotherapy records, levels of obstruction of the lacrimal drainage apparatus and treatment methods and outcome.

BAFF Induces Tertiary Lymphoid Structures and Positions T Cells within the Glomeruli during Lupus Nephritis.

Tissue-specific immune responses play an important role in the pathology of autoimmune diseases. In systemic lupus erythematosus, deposits of IgG-immune complexes and the activation of complement in the kidney have long been thought to promote inflammation and lupus nephritis. However, the events that localize cells in non-lymphoid tertiary organs and sustain tissue-specific immune responses remain undefined.

Staphylococcus aureus Protein A Disrupts Immunity Mediated by Long-Lived Plasma Cells.

Infection with Staphylococcus aureus does not induce long-lived protective immunity for reasons that are not completely understood. Human and murine vaccine studies support a role for Abs in protecting against recurring infections, but S. aureus modulates the B cell response through expression of staphylococcus protein A (SpA), a surface protein that drives polyclonal B cell expansion and induces cell death in the absence of costimulation.

Apoptotic Debris Accumulates on Hematopoietic Cells and Promotes Disease in Murine and Human Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Apoptotic debris, autoantibody, and IgG-immune complexes (ICs) have long been implicated in the inflammation associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); however, it remains unclear whether they initiate immune-mediated events that promote disease. In this study, we show that PBMCs from SLE patients experiencing active disease, and hematopoietic cells from lupus-prone MRL/lpr and NZM2410 mice accumulate markedly elevated levels of surface-bound nuclear self-antigens. On dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages (MFs), the self-antigens are part of IgG-ICs that promote FcγRI-mediated signal transduction.

Defects in lysosomal maturation facilitate the activation of innate sensors in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Defects in clearing apoptotic debris disrupt tissue and immunological homeostasis, leading to autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Herein, we report that macrophages from lupus-prone MRL/lpr mice have impaired lysosomal maturation, resulting in heightened ROS production and attenuated lysosomal acidification. Impaired lysosomal maturation diminishes the ability of lysosomes to degrade apoptotic debris contained within IgG-immune complexes (IgG-ICs) and promotes recycling and the accumulation of nuclear self-antigens at the membrane 72 h after internalization.