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Heliyon Apr 2024This study involved the incorporation of an antibacterial garlic extract into titanium oxide nanotubes (TNTs) formed via the anodization of Ti6Al4V implants. The garlic...
This study involved the incorporation of an antibacterial garlic extract into titanium oxide nanotubes (TNTs) formed via the anodization of Ti6Al4V implants. The garlic extract, obtained through low-temperature extraction aided by ultrasound waves, was loaded into the nanotubes. The presence of the nanotubes was confirmed through X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were used to investigate the presence of bioactive compounds, particularly sulfur compounds responsible for garlic's antibacterial effects. The impact of loading two concentrations (0.1 and 0.2 g per milliliter) of garlic extract on () and () bacteria was examined. Results indicated a decrease in the growth range of from 10 to 10 (CFU/ml) and from 10 to 10 (CFU/ml) upon treatment. Additionally, cell adhesion and viability tests conducted on MG63 cells revealed an 8% increase in cell viability with the 0.1 g per milliliter concentration and a 35% decrease with the 0.2 g per milliliter concentration of garlic extract after 72 h of incubation (They have been evaluated by Microculture tetrazolium (MTT) assay). GC-MS analysis identified the presence of diethyl phthalate compounds in the garlic extract, suggesting a potential correlation with cellular toxicity observed in the sample with the higher concentration (0.2 g per milliliter) of garlic extract. Overall, the TNTs loaded with 0.1 g per milliliter of garlic extract simultaneously demonstrated antibacterial activity, cell viability, adhesion, and growth enhancement.
PubMed: 38576572
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28588 -
Cureus Mar 2024Background and objective Low back discomfort is one of the main factors that restrict physical activity, and it is becoming more and more common. Surgery is the best...
Background and objective Low back discomfort is one of the main factors that restrict physical activity, and it is becoming more and more common. Surgery is the best option when all other conservative treatment methods have failed, but it is not a panacea. While local anesthetic-free and combined epidural steroid injections have been used for many years, their usefulness is limited to shorter periods. In the field of orthopedics, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has gained widespread recognition as an adjuvant component. PRP has been applied to improve tissue repair, both soft and hard. This comparative study aimed to evaluate the potential of PRP as a therapy for low back pain (LBP). Methods We included 64 adult individuals with complaints of LBP. They were classified into two groups: group A underwent a single injection in the afflicted lumbar intervertebral disc (IVD) level with 1.5 ml of methylprednisolone, 1.5 ml 2% lidocaine, and 0.5 ml of saline under rigorous aseptic precautions; in contrast, group B was administered a single injection of 3 milliliters of autologous PRP. Patients' scores on the visual analog scale (VAS), the Modified Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (MODQ), and the Straight Leg Raising Test (SLRT) were assessed before and during therapy. Results The data gathered were subjected to statistical analysis. Statistically significant differences were found in the VAS scores between group A (methylprednisolone group) and group B (PRP group) post-one hour (6.0 ±0.74 vs. 6.92 ±0.57) and after three months (5.2 ±0.65 vs. 3.26 ±0.79). Conclusions Our study revealed gradual progressive improvement in the symptoms of patients in the PRP group as indicated by scores on SLRT, VAS, and MODQ. The results were comparable to those who received methylprednisolone injections. There was a statistically significant difference in VAS scores between the two groups, with the PRP group reporting a higher degree of pain reduction, showing that PRP is an effective alternative to epidural steroid infiltration in managing chronic LBP.
PubMed: 38567224
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.55423 -
Journal of Hepatocellular Carcinoma 2024This study aims to explore the role of soluble programmed cell death protein 1 (sPD-1) in individuals with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing treatment with...
The Influence of Drug-Eluting Beads Transarterial Chemoembolization on Serum Levels of Soluble Programmed Cell Death Protein-1 in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients.
AIM
This study aims to explore the role of soluble programmed cell death protein 1 (sPD-1) in individuals with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing treatment with drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization (D-TACE). Additionally, we aim to assess the potential utility of sPD-1 for determining the optimal timing for combining D-TACE with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 44 HCC patients eligible for D-TACE and 55 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. Three milliliters of peripheral venous blood from the patients were collected on the day before D-TACE and 3, 7, and 30 days after D-TACE, respectively, for the assay of sPD-1. The relationships between sPD-1 levels, clinical features, outcomes, and the fluctuation of sPD-1 during treatment were analyzed.
RESULTS
The initial sPD-1 levels in patients were found to be significantly higher than those in the control group. Although the initial sPD-1 levels displayed a decreasing trend with an increase in BCLC stage, no significant differences were observed among patients at different BCLC stages. The sPD-1 level on day 3 after D-TACE was similar to that on day 7 after D-TACE and significantly lower than the initial level. The sPD-1 level on day 30 after D-TACE was significantly higher than that on day 3 and day 7 after D-TACE and nearly returned to the initial level before D-TACE.
CONCLUSION
The level of sPD-1 was found to be significantly elevated in patients with HCC. However, further research is deemed necessary to fully understand the role of sPD-1 as a potential biomarker in the initiation, progression, and prognosis of HCC. The decrease in sPD-1 following D-TACE suggests that immune effector cells might potentially be reduced, as well as immune function weakened, highlighting the need to avoid the prompt administration of ICIs after D-TACE.
PubMed: 38559553
DOI: 10.2147/JHC.S452409 -
Biomedicines Mar 2024The role of oxidative/antioxidative system imbalances in advanced heart failure (HF) has not been fully investigated. The aim of this study was to identify factors...
The role of oxidative/antioxidative system imbalances in advanced heart failure (HF) has not been fully investigated. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with one-year mortality in patients with advanced HF, with particular emphasis on oxidative/antioxidative balance parameters. We analyzed 85 heart transplant candidates who were hospitalized at our institution for right heart catheterization. Ten milliliters of coronary sinus blood was collected to measure oxidative/antioxidative markers. The median age was 58 (50-62) years, and 90.6% of them were male. The one-year mortality rate was 40%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that ceruloplasmin (OR = 1.342 [1.019-1.770], = 0.0363; per unit decrease), catalase (OR = 1.053 [1.014-1.093], = 0.0076; per unit decrease), and creatinine (OR = 1.071 [1.002-1.144], = 0.0422; per unit increase) were independently associated with one-year mortality. Ceruloplasmin, catalase, and creatinine had areas under the curve of 0.9296 [0.8738-0.9855], 0.9666 [0.9360-0.9971], and 0.7682 [0.6607-0.8756], respectively. Lower ceruloplasmin and catalase in the coronary sinus, as well as higher creatinine in peripheral blood, are independently associated with one-year mortality in patients with advanced HF. Catalase and ceruloplasmin have excellent prognostic power, and creatinine has acceptable prognostic power, allowing the distinction of one-year survivors from nonsurvivors.
PubMed: 38540275
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12030662 -
Science Advances Mar 2024Blood exosomes are emerging as potential biomarkers for diagnosing brain diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). There is currently a lack of an ultrasensitive...
Blood exosomes are emerging as potential biomarkers for diagnosing brain diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). There is currently a lack of an ultrasensitive technology for identifying core AD biomarkers in blood exosomes to optimize the utility of biomarkers in clinical practice. Here, an immunomagnetic exosomal polymerase chain reaction (iMEP) platform was developed using DNA-conjugated antibodies for the rapid detection of amyloid-β (Aβ and Aβ) and phosphorylated tau (p-tau and p-tau) in clinical blood exosomes. The toehold shift-mediated DNA affinity pulldown eliminates the high detection background, which allows the detection of biomarkers at concentrations down to 10 femtograms per milliliter. With the iMEP assay, exosomal Aβ was more accurate in differentiating patients with AD from healthy individuals compared with exosomal p-tau and p-tau, with a sensitivity of 95.0% and a specificity of 95.0%. The iMEP technique is also adept at quantifying the levels of different exosomal biomarkers associated with disease pathogenesis.
Topics: Humans; Alzheimer Disease; tau Proteins; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Biomarkers; Peptide Fragments; DNA; Polymerase Chain Reaction
PubMed: 38536917
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm3088 -
Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2024Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) has assumed an important role in supporting tissue regeneration in different fields. To date, the standard protocol for liquid PRF requires at...
Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) has assumed an important role in supporting tissue regeneration in different fields. To date, the standard protocol for liquid PRF requires at least 10 mL of peripheral blood. The present study aimed to analyze the composition, growth factor release, and effects on the cell proliferation of PRF samples produced using 3 mL vs. 10 mL of peripheral blood in vitro. Peripheral venous blood from six healthy donors was used to prepare liquid PRF using either 3 mL or 10 mL tubes. Three different centrifugation protocols were used according to the low-speed centrifugation concept. The cellular distribution was evaluated using immunohistology and automated cell count. ELISA was used to determine the release of different growth factors (EGF, TGF-β1, and PDGF) and interleukin 8 at different time points. Primary human osteoblasts (pOBs) were cultivated for 7 days using PRF-conditioned media acquired from either 3 mL or 10 mL of peripheral blood. The results showed that 3 mL of peripheral blood is sufficient to produce a liquid PRF concentrate similar to that acquired when using 10 mL blood. The concentrations of platelets and leukocytes were comparable regardless of the initial blood volume (3 mL vs. 10 mL). Similarly, the release of growth factors (EGF, TGF-β1, and PDGF) and interleukin 8 was often comparable in both groups over 7 days. The cultivation of pOBs using PRF-conditioned media showed a similar proliferation rate regardless of the initial blood volume. This proliferation rate was also similar to that of pOBs treated with 20% FBS-conditioned media. These findings validated the use of 3 mL of peripheral blood to generate liquid PRF matrices according to the low-speed centrifugation concept, which may open new application fields for research purposes such as in vivo experiments and clinical applications such as pediatric surgery.
PubMed: 38534527
DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering11030253 -
Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice Mar 2024Allergic rhinitis is an immunoglobulin E-mediated hypersensitivity disease of the mucous membrane of the nasal airway. There is a paucity of information regarding serum...
Serum Immunoglobulin E Level and Its Relationship with Eosinophil Count among Patients with Allergic Rhinitis in Tertiary Hospital in Bauchi, Northeastern Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study.
BACKGROUND
Allergic rhinitis is an immunoglobulin E-mediated hypersensitivity disease of the mucous membrane of the nasal airway. There is a paucity of information regarding serum immunoglobulin E level and its relationship with eosinophil count among patients with allergic rhinitis in our facility and Northeastern Nigeria.
AIM
To determine serum immunoglobulin E level and its relationship with eosinophil count among patients with allergic rhinitis.
METHODOLOGY
It was a cross-sectional study of consecutive patients diagnosed with allergic rhinitis that were recruited from the ear, nose, and throat surgery and respiratory medicine clinics of ATBUTH, Bauchi, Bauchi State, Northeastern Nigeria, from January 01, 2022, to May 31, 2023. Five milliliters of blood were analyzed for immunoglobulin E estimation using an immunoglobulin E ELISA kit and determination of eosinophil count using pack five hematologic autoanalyzer. Extracted data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23.0 software.
RESULT
There were 61 patients studied comprising 22 (36.1%) males and 39 (63.9%) females with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.7. Their ages range from 18 to 77 years old. The mean age, serum IgE level, and eosinophil counts of all three patients were 38.65 ± 14.34 years, 371.24 ± 82.63 IU/ml, and 3.35 ± 2.87%, respectively. All (100%) participants had raised serum IgE levels, and 88.5% had normal eosinophil count. There was no significant correlation between the serum IgE level and eosinophil counts (r = -0.206; P = 0.112).
CONCLUSION
All of the participants had a high serum IgE level. There was no significant association between serum IgE and eosinophil count.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Adolescent; Young Adult; Adult; Middle Aged; Aged; Eosinophils; Cross-Sectional Studies; Tertiary Care Centers; Nigeria; Rhinitis, Allergic; Leukocyte Count; Immunoglobulin E
PubMed: 38528361
DOI: 10.4103/njcp.njcp_605_23 -
Science Advances Mar 2024To eliminate multidrug-resistant bacteria of , we screened 1100 Food and Drug Administration-approved small molecule drugs and accessed the broxyquinoline (Bq) efficacy...
To eliminate multidrug-resistant bacteria of , we screened 1100 Food and Drug Administration-approved small molecule drugs and accessed the broxyquinoline (Bq) efficacy in combination with various metal ions. Antibacterial tests demonstrated that the prepared Zn(Bq) complex showed ultralow minimum inhibitory concentration of ~0.21 micrograms per milliliter with no resistance after 30 passages. We then constructed the nano zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) as a drug carrier of Zn(Bq) and also incorporated the photosensitizer chlorin e6 (Ce6) to trace and boost the antibacterial effect. To further ensure the stable and targeted delivery, we genetically engineered outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) with the ability to selectively target . By coating the ZnBq/Ce6@ZIF-8 core with these OMV, the resulted drug (ZnBq/Ce6@ZIF-8@OMV) exhibited exceptional killing efficacy (>99.9999999%) of . In addition, in vitro and in vivo tests were also respectively carried out to inspect the remarkable efficacy of this previously unknown nanodrug in eradicating infections, including biofilms and meningitis.
Topics: Pharmaceutical Preparations; Acinetobacter baumannii; Biomimetics; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Photosensitizing Agents
PubMed: 38517956
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk6331 -
Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy Apr 2024Eradication of endodontic biofilms from the infected root canal system is still the main concern in endodontics. In this study, the role of the power density parameter...
BACKGROUND
Eradication of endodontic biofilms from the infected root canal system is still the main concern in endodontics. In this study, the role of the power density parameter in the efficacy of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (PDT) with toluidine blue O (TBO) and phycocyanin (PC) activated by a 635 nm diode laser (DL) against Enterococcus faecalis biofilm in the root canal model was investigated.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The E. faecalis biofilm in the root canal was treated with TBO and PC with different power densities (636, 954, 1273, and 1592 W/cm). The untreated biofilm represented the control group. After the treatments, the biofilms were analyzed based on the number of colonies per milliliter.
RESULTS
TBO and PC activated with 635 nm DL with a power density of 1592 W/cm were more efficient in removing E. faecalis biofilms within the root canals than those with a power density of 636 W/cm (p = 0.00).
CONCLUSION
The light power density optimized the bacterial reduction of E. faecalis biofilms in the root canal spaces. These results provide information on the decisive parameters for performing PDT on intracanal biofilms.
Topics: Biofilms; Enterococcus faecalis; Photochemotherapy; Tolonium Chloride; Dental Pulp Cavity; Photosensitizing Agents; Lasers, Semiconductor; Phycocyanin; Humans; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
PubMed: 38499277
DOI: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2024.104053 -
Annals of Surgery Jul 2024To compare the perioperative outcomes of robotic liver surgery (RLS) and laparoscopic liver surgery (LLS) in various settings. (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
OBJECTIVE
To compare the perioperative outcomes of robotic liver surgery (RLS) and laparoscopic liver surgery (LLS) in various settings.
BACKGROUND
Clear advantages of RLS over LLS have rarely been demonstrated, and the associated costs of robotic surgery are generally higher than those of laparoscopic surgery. Therefore, the exact role of the robotic approach in minimally invasive liver surgery remains to be defined.
METHODS
In this international retrospective cohort study, the outcomes of patients who underwent RLS and LLS for all indications between 2009 and 2021 in 34 hepatobiliary referral centers were compared. Subgroup analyses were performed to compare both approaches across several types of procedures: (1) minor resections in the anterolateral (2, 3, 4b, 5, and 6) or (2) posterosuperior segments (1, 4a, 7, 8), and (3) major resections (≥3 contiguous segments). Propensity score matching was used to mitigate the influence of selection bias. The primary outcome was textbook outcome in liver surgery (TOLS), previously defined as the absence of intraoperative incidents ≥grade 2, postoperative bile leak ≥grade B, severe morbidity, readmission, and 90-day or in-hospital mortality with the presence of an R0 resection margin in case of malignancy. The absence of a prolonged length of stay was added to define TOLS+.
RESULTS
Among the 10.075 included patients, 1.507 underwent RLS and 8.568 LLS. After propensity score matching, both groups constituted 1.505 patients. RLS was associated with higher rates of TOLS (78.3% vs 71.8%, P < 0.001) and TOLS+ (55% vs 50.4%, P = 0.026), less Pringle usage (39.1% vs 47.1%, P < 0.001), blood loss (100 vs 200 milliliters, P < 0.001), transfusions (4.9% vs 7.9%, P = 0.003), conversions (2.7% vs 8.8%, P < 0.001), overall morbidity (19.3% vs 25.7%, P < 0.001), and microscopically irradical resection margins (10.1% vs. 13.8%, P = 0.015), and shorter operative times (190 vs 210 minutes, P = 0.015). In the subgroups, RLS tended to have higher TOLS rates, compared with LLS, for minor resections in the posterosuperior segments (n = 431 per group, 75.9% vs 71.2%, P = 0.184) and major resections (n = 321 per group, 72.9% vs 67.5%, P = 0.086), although these differences did not reach statistical significance.
CONCLUSIONS
While both produce excellent outcomes, RLS might facilitate slightly higher TOLS rates than LLS.
Topics: Humans; Robotic Surgical Procedures; Propensity Score; Hepatectomy; Female; Male; Laparoscopy; Retrospective Studies; Middle Aged; Aged; Postoperative Complications; Treatment Outcome; Liver Diseases
PubMed: 38482665
DOI: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000006267