Viral infection of the ovaries compromises pregnancy and reveals innate immune mechanisms protecting fertility

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Effect of dual ion implantation of calcium and phosphorus on the properties of titanium

This study is concerned with the effect of dual implantation of calcium and phosphorus upon the structure, corrosion resistance and biocompatibility of titanium. The ions were implanted in sequence, first Ca and then P, both at a dose of 10(17) ions/cm2 at a beam energy of 25 keV. Transmission electron microscopy was used to investigate the microstructure of the implanted layer. The chemical composition of the implanted layer was examined by XPS and SIMS. The corrosion resistance was determined by electrochemical methods in a simulated body fluid (SBF) at a temperature of 37 degrees C. The biocompatibility tests were performed in vitro in a culture of human-derived bone cells (HDBC) in contact with the tested materials. The viability of the cells was determined by an XTT assay and their activity by the measurements of the alkaline phosphatase activity in contact with implanted and non-implanted titanium samples. The in vitro examinations confirmed that, under the conditions prevailing during the experiments, the biocompatibility of Ca + P ion-implanted titanium was satisfactory. TEM results show that the surface layer formed by the Ca + P implantation is amorphous. The corrosion resistance of titanium, examined by the electrochemical methods, appeared to be increased after the Ca + P ion implantation.     

Effect of phosphorus-ion implantation on the corrosion resistance and biocompatibility of titanium

This work presents data on the structure and corrosion resistance of titanium after phosphorus-ion implantation with a dose of 10(17)P/cm2. The ion energy was 25keV. Transmission electron microscopy was used to investigate the microstructure of the implanted layer. The chemical composition of the surface layer was examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and secondary ion mass spectrometry. The corrosion resistance was examined by electrochemical methods in a simulated body fluid at a temperature of 37 C. Biocompatibility tests in vitro were performed in a culture of human derived bone cells in direct contact with the materials tested. Both, the viability of the cells determined by an XTT assay and activity of the cells evaluated by alkaline phosphatase activity measurements in contact with implanted and non-implanted titanium samples were detected. The morphology of the cells spread on the surface of the materials examined was also observed. The results confirmed the biocompatibility of both phosphorus-ion-implanted and non-implanted titanium under the conditions of the experiment. As shown by transmission electron microscope results, the surface layer formed during phosphorus-ion implantation was amorphous. The results of electrochemical examinations indicate that phosphorus-ion implantation increases the corrosion resistance after short-term as well as long-term exposures.     

Zoledronic acid is effective against experimental malignant pleural effusion

Rationale: Aminobiphosphonates, such as zoledronic acid (ZA), exert potent indirect antitumor effects and are currently being tested against human solid tumors. The antitumor actions of aminobiphosphonates, including angiostasis, are relevant to the pathogenesis of malignant pleural effusion (MPE), but no study has addressed the efficacy of these compounds against malignant pleural disease. Objectives: Here we hypothesized that treatment of immunocompetent mice with ZA would halt tumor progression in a mouse model of adenocarcinoma-induced MPE. Methods: To induce MPE in mice, Lewis lung carcinoma cells were delivered directly into the pleural space. Subsequently, animals were treated with ZA in both a prevention and a regression protocol. Measurements and Main Results: ZA treatment resulted in significant reductions in pleural fluid accumulation and tumor dissemination, while it significantly prolonged survival. These effects of ZA were linked to enhanced apoptosis of pleural tumor cells, decreased formation of new vessels in pleural tumors, and reduced pleural vascular permeability. In addition, ZA was able to inhibit the recruitment of mononuclear cells to pleural tumors, with concomitant reductions in matrix metalloproteinase-9 release into the pleural space. Finally, ZA limited the expression of proinflammatory and angiogenic mediators, as well as the activity of small GTP proteins Ras and RhoA, in tumor cells in vivo and in vitro. Conclusions: ZA is effective against experimental MPE, suggesting that this intervention should be considered for testing in clinical trials.