Cultivation of Encapsulated Primary Human B Lymphocytes: A First Step toward a Bioartificial Germinal Center.

Polyelectrolyte microcapsules based on sodium cellulose sulfate (SCS) and poly-diallyl-dimethyl-ammonium chloride (PDADMAC) have previously been proposed as a suitable ex vivo microenvironment for the cultivation and differentiation of primary human T lymphocytes. Here, the same system is investigated for the cultivation of human primary B cells derived from adult tonsillar tissue. Proliferation and differentiation into subtypes are followed and compared to suspension cultures of B cells from the same pool performed in parallel.

Generation of Recombinant Primary Human B Lymphocytes Using Non-Viral Vectors.

Although the development of gene delivery systems based on non-viral vectors is advancing, it remains a challenge to deliver plasmid DNA into human blood cells. The current "gold standard", namely linear polyethyleneimine (l-PEI 25 kDa), in particular, is unable to produce transgene expression levels >5% in primary human B lymphocytes. Here, it is demonstrated that a well-defined 24-armed poly(2-dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate (PDMAEMA, 755 kDa) nano-star is able to reproducibly elicit high transgene expression (40%) at sufficient residual viability (69%) in primary human B cells derived from tonsillar tissue.

Isolation of primary human B lymphocytes from tonsils compared to blood as alternative source for ex vivo application.

B lymphocytes ('B cells') are components of the human immune system with obvious potential for medical and biotechnological applications. Here, we discuss the isolation of primary human B cells from both juvenile and adult tonsillar material using a two-step procedure based on gradient centrifugation followed by separation on a nylon wool column as alternative to the current gold standard, i.e.

Imaging of Electrode Position after Cochlear Implantation with Flat Panel CT.

Background. Postoperative imaging after cochlear implantation is usually performed by conventional cochlear view (X-ray) or by multislice computed tomography (MSCT). MSCT after cochlear implantation often provides multiple metal artefacts; thus, a more detailed view of the implant considering the given anatomy is desirable.

Moyamoya disease complicated by life-threatening epistaxis: first report of a case.

Objective: Subacute haemorrhage is a common emergency in otorhinolaryngology. Rapid evaluation of the aetiology and localization is a precondition for suitable treatment. We demonstrate a rare case of primarily intractable epistaxis associated with occlusion of the circle of Willis (moyamoya disease).