Bioactivity analysis of bioceramic sealers and repair cements on the phenotype and cytokine secretion profile of CD14+ monocytes: An ex‐vivo study

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Bioactivity analysis of bioceramic sealers and repair cements on the phenotype and cytokine secretion profile of CD14+ monocytes: An ex‐vivo study via International Endodontic Journal Abstract Aim This study evaluated the immune bioactivity of testing media (TM) obtained from different calcium silicate-based sealers and cements on monocyte morphology, activation, differentiation, and cytokine secretion. Methods Blood-derived CD14+ monocytes were isolated and cultured for 5 days with 25% TM from the following calcium silicate-based materials: TotalFill BC RRM Fast-Set Putty, Biodentine, TotalFill BC Sealer, and BioRoot-RCS. A resin-based endodontic cement was used as a control. The expression of surface markers such as CD86, HLA-DR, CD16, CD309, and CD209, and cytokine secretion were analysed by flow cytometry. Data were analysed using the one-way repeated measures (RM) analysis of variance (ANOVA) multiple comparison test and a Holm-Sidak multiple comparison post-hoc test (p<0.05). Results This comparative analysis revealed that monocytes co-cultured with calcium silicate-based materials showed a spindle-shaped morphology compared to the round shape observed in the control. Regarding activation markers, BioRoot-RCS and Biodentine significantly increased CD86 expression compared with the control sample, whereas no significant differences (p>0.05) were observed in HLA-DR expression. In addition, no differences were observed among the differentiation markers. When the inflammatory cytokines were analysed, BioRoot-RCS increased the secretion of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α, whereas BioRoot-RCS and Biodentine significantly decreased IL-8 production (p<0.05). Conclusions These data showed that the calcium silicate-based materials tested changed the morphology of CD14+ monocytes; however, only BioRoot-RCS and Biodentine significantly upregulated CD86. In addition, BioRoot-RCS was the sealer with the highest immunomodulatory properties for cytokine production which means that it can contribute with the in vivo healing process and regeneration of periapical lesions. View on Web

Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Persistence of Neutrophil extracellular traps and anti‐cardiolipin auto‐antibodies in post‐acute phase COVID‐19 patients

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Persistence of Neutrophil extracellular traps and anti‐cardiolipin auto‐antibodies in post‐acute phase COVID‐19 patients via Journal of Medical Virology Abstract This exploratory prospective study based on 279 individuals showed that plasma levels of neutrophil elastase, myeloperoxidase and circulating DNA of nuclear and mitochondrial origins in non-severe (NS), severe (S) and post-acute phase (PAP) COVID-19 patients were statistically different as compared to the levels in healthy individuals, and revealed the high diagnostic power of these markers in respect to the disease severity. The diagnostic power of NE, MPO, and cir-nDNA as determined by the Area Under Receiver Operating Curves (AUROC) was 0.95, 097 and 0.64; 0.99, 1.0 and 0.82; and 0.94, 1.0, and 0.93, in NS, S and PAP patient subgroups, respectively. In addition, a significant fraction of NS, S as well as of PAP patients exhibited aCL IgM/IgG and anti-B2GP IgM/IgG positivity. We first demonstrate persistence of these NETs (Neutrophil extracellular traps) markers in PAP patients and consequently of sustained innate immune response imbalance, and a prolonged low-level pro-thrombotic potential activity highlighting the need to monitor these markers in all COVID-19 PAP individuals, to investigate post-acute COVID-19 pathogenesis following intensive care, and to better identify which medical resources will ensure complete patient recovery. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. View on Web

Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

High titers of neutralizing antibodies in the blood fail to eliminate SARS‐CoV‐2 viral RNA in the upper respiratory tract

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader High titers of neutralizing antibodies in the blood fail to eliminate SARS‐CoV‐2 viral RNA in the upper respiratory tract via Journal of Medical Virology Abstract Retest positive SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA, as a unique phenomenon among the discharged individuals, has been demonstrated to be safe in the community. Still, the underlying mechanism of viral lingering is less investigated. In this study, first, we find that the frequency of viral RNA positive retest differs among variants. Higher ratios of viral RNA positive retest were more frequently observed among Delta (61.41%, 514 of 837 cases) and Omicrons (39.53%, 119 of 301 cases) infection than ancestral viral infection (7.27%, 21 of 289 cases). Second, the tissues where viral RNA reoccurred were altered. Delta RNA reoccurred mainly in the upper respiratory tract (90%), but ancestral virus RNA mainly in the gastrointestinal tract (71%). Third, vaccination did not reduce the frequency of viral RNA-positive retests, despite high concentrations of viral-specific antibodies in the blood. Finally, 37 of 55 (67.27%) Delta-infected patients receiving neutralizing antibody (nAb ) therapy become viral RNA retest positive when high concentrations of neutralizing antibodies still patrol in the blood. Altogether, our findings suggest that the presentence of high titers of neutralizing antibodies in the blood is incompetent in clearing residual viral RNA in the upper respiratory tract. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. View on Web

Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Characteristics and clinical significance of plasma IL‐18, sCD14 and sCD163 levels in patients with HIV‐1 infection

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Characteristics and clinical significance of plasma IL‐18, sCD14 and sCD163 levels in patients with HIV‐1 infection via Journal of Medical Virology Abstract Background and aim Biomarkers of monocyte-macrophages activation and inflammation in plasma such as interleukin-18 (IL-18), soluble leukocyte differentiation antigen 14 (sCD14) and sCD163 are associated with disease severity and prognosis in HIV-1 infected patients, however, their relationships with efficacy of antiretroviral therapy (ART) need further investigation. We aimed to characterize and explore the clinical significance of plasma IL-18, sCD14 and sCD163 in this population. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study consisting of HIV-1 infected patients enrolled in a randomized, controlled, open-label, non-inferiority trial (ALTERLL study), with follow-up time points including initiation of ART (baseline), 12-, 24- and 48-weeks of treatment. Plasma levels of IL-18, sCD14 and sCD163 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Viral suppression was defined as HIV-1 RNA <20 copies/mL. Results Among the 193 studied pa tients (median age of 29.0 years, 180 males), IL-18 and sCD163 had U-shaped regression curves and sCD14 had an inverted U-shaped regression curve while virus was decreasing and immune function recovered. Patients with higher levels of IL-18 or lower levels of sCD163 at baseline were less likely to achieve viral suppression at week 12 or week 24 of treatment, respectively. In multivariate analysis, baseline sCD163 ≤500 pg/mL (aOR 0.33, 95%CI 0.16-0.68) was independently associated with lower rate of viral suppression at week 24 of treatment. Conclusion We demonstrated different dynamic changes among IL-18, sCD14 and sCD163 after ART. Baseline sCD163 level could be a potential predictor of early virological response to ART. Further validation and mechanistic research are needed. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. View on Web

Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Characterization and application of a series of monoclonal antibodies against SARS‐CoV‐2 nucleocapsid protein

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Characterization and application of a series of monoclonal antibodies against SARS‐CoV‐2 nucleocapsid protein via Journal of Medical Virology Abstract The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has a significant global social and economic impact, and the emergence of new and more destructive mutant strains highlights the need for accurate virus detection. Here, 90 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that exclusively reacted with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) nucleocapsid protein (NP) were generated. These MAbs did not cross-react with NPs of common human coronaviruses (HCoV, i.e., 229E, OC43, HKU1, and NL63) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus. Subsequently, overlapped peptides in individual fragments (N1–N4) of NP were synthesized. N1-3 (25-GSNQNGERSGARSKQ-39), N3-1 (217-AALALLLLDRLNQL-230), and N4-8 (393-TLLPAADLDDFSKQL-407) were identified as major epitopes using enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) and recognized by 47, 1, and 18 MAbs, respectively. The 24 remaining MAbs exhibited no reactivity with all synthetic peptides. Among MAb-epitope pairs, only MAbs targeting epitope N1-3 displayed no cross-reaction with NPs of SARS-CoV-1 and other SARS-related CoVs. All omicron variants contained a three-amino acid deletion (31ERS33) in the N1-3 region. Thus, MAbs targeting N1-3 failed to recognize these variants. Furthermore, a double-antibody sandwich ELISA for antigen detection was established using the optimal MAbs. Overall, a series of MAbs targeting SARS-CoV-2 NP was prepared, characterized with epitope mapping, and applied for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 antigens, and some novel B-cell epitopes of the viral NP were identified. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. View on Web

Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Sacrococcygeal teratoma: Long‐term outcomes. A UK CCLG Surgeons Group Nationwide Study

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Sacrococcygeal teratoma: Long‐term outcomes. A UK CCLG Surgeons Group Nationwide Study via Pediatric Blood & Cancer Abstract Aim Sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) is a rare paediatric germ cell tumour (1:40,000). Long-term data regarding urinary tract and bowel function after SCT resection is limited to few studies. A UK Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG) Surgeons multicentre study aimed to critically analyse long-term functional outcomes in patients following resection of SCT. Methods Nationwide study of UK paediatric surgical oncology centres using a standardised data collection form. All index cases of newborn infants and children <16 years with SCT diagnosis during 2005–2015 were included. Results 165 SCT patients treated at 14 UK paediatric surgical oncology centres were included. Median age at presentation was 1 day [interquartile range, IQR: 0–25]; median age at surgery was 10 days [IQR: 4–150]. One hundred seventeen (70%) were female and 48 (30%) male. Antenatal diagnosis was made in 44% index cases. Total 59% of patients were Altman Stage I or II lesions. Follow-up data were available in 83% cases. Tumour recurrence occurred in 13 (7%) patients at median age 13 months [IQR: 8.75–30 months]. Fifty-nine (36%) of 165 patients had documented adverse bladder or bowel dysfunction. Twenty-two (37%) cases required urinary clean intermittent catheterisation (CIC) urology health care, with eight patients (14%) needing operative intervention to control management of bowel dysfunction. Conclusion This UK CCLG study showed 36% of SCT patients develop bladder or bowel dysfunction after primary tumour resection. Functional assessment of bladder and bowel function is mandatory during after-care follow-up of all SCT patients. A multidisciplinary care pathway, with surgeon speciality groups including surgical oncology, paediatric urology and paediatric colorectal specialists, is strongly advised to facilitate 'best practice' monitoring of long-term health and improve patient quality of life (QoL) into adulthood. View on Web

Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

InCISE: Instrument for Comprehensive Incisional and Surgical Evaluation

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader InCISE: Instrument for Comprehensive Incisional and Surgical Evaluation via The Laryngoscope The evaluation of healing after head and neck surgery is currently qualitative and non-standardized. We developed InCISE: Instrument for comprehensive incisional and surgical evaluation to assess surgical wounds, which was found to be reliable, reproducible, and consistent. Objective The evaluation of healing after head and neck surgery is currently qualitative and non-standardized, limiting the quality of surgical healing assessments in clinical and research settings. We sought to develop an objective, standardized wound assessment score, and hypothesize that a reliable instrument can be developed to evaluate head and neck surgical wounds. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted in a tertiary-care, academic head and neck surgery practice. Patients undergoing head and neck surgery were enrolled. A digital photograph protocol was developed for evaluating healing surgical wounds. A panel of experts developed and refined a wound healing score and established reliability, reproducibility, internal consistency, and validity of the score. Results InCISE: Instrument for comprehensive incisional and surgical evaluation was created. The utility of our wound healing score was assessed using classical test theory. We performed the major steps of establishing reliability in head and neck surgeons: (1) internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.81), (2) inter-observer reliability (intra-class correlation = 0.76), and (3) intra-rater reliability (intra-class correlation = 0.87), and content validity (through focus groups). Our composite measure was found to have strong internal consistency, inter-rater reliability, and intra-rater reliability. Preliminary work suggests criterion validity via associations with physical health related quality of life (SF-12). Conclusion A wound healing score for head and neck surgery, InCISE, has been developed and is reliable, reproducible, and consistent. Although content validity is present and criterion validity is suggested, work continues to establish validity in this instrument to allow for expanded clinical and research use. Level of Evidence N/A Laryngoscope, 2022 View on Web

Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.