A New Generation of Electrospun Fibers Containing Bioactive Glass Particles for Wound Healing

Chitosan fibers blended with polyethylene oxide (CHIT_PEO) and crosslinked with genipin were fabricated by electrospinning technique. Subsequently, CHIT_PEO bioactive glass composite electrospun mats were fabricated with the aim to achieve flexible structures with adequate mechanical properties and improved biological performance respect to CHIT_PEO fibers, for potential applications in wound healing. Three different compositions of bioactive glasses (BG) were selected and investigated: 45S5 BG, a Sr and Mg containing bioactive glass (BGMS10) and a Zn-containing bioactive glass (BGMS_2Zn). Particulate BGs (particles size < 20 μm) were separately added to the starting CHIT_PEO solution before electrospinning. The two recently developed bioactive glasses (BGMS10 and BGMS_2Zn) showed very promising biological properties in terms of bioactivity and cellular viability; thus, such compositions were added for the first time to CHIT_PEO solution to fabricate composite electrospun mats. The incorporation of bioactive glass particles and their distribution into CHIT_PEO fibers were assessed by SEM and FTIR analyses. Furthermore, CHIT_PEO composite electrospun mats showed improved mechanical properties in terms of Young’s Modulus compared to neat CHIT_PEO fibers; on the contrary, the values of tensile strain at break (%) were comparable. Biological performance in terms of cellular viability was investigated by means of WST-8 assay and CHIT_PEO composite electrospun mats showed cytocompatibility and the desired cellular viability.     

Genetic variability at the TREX1 locus is not associated with natural resistance to HIV-1 infection

Three prime repair exonuclease 1 (TREX1) degrades excess HIV-1 DNA, thereby preventing recognition by innate immunity receptors and type I interferon responses. Analyses performed in two HIV-exposed seronegative (HESN) cohorts did not show any differences in TREX1 sequence, single nucleotide polymorphisms frequency, or expression in HESN compared to controls, suggesting that, despite its central role in the HIV-1 infection process, genetic diversity at TREX1 is not a major determinant of susceptibility to infection in humans.     

The specific contributions of force and velocity to muscle power in older adults

The purpose of this study is to examine the relative importance of the force-based and velocity-based measures of muscle performance to explain inter-individual differences in power production capability and functional task performance. Participants included seventy-nine men and women: middle-aged healthy adults (MH: 40-55years), older healthy adults (OH: 70-85years), and older adults with mobility limitations (OML: 70-85years). Muscle power at 180°/s, isometric maximal torque, and maximal contraction velocity at 40% 1RM were measured during unilateral leg extension. The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) was used to differentiate between healthy and mobility limited older adults. Functional task performance was assessed using multiple chair rise and stair climb tests. Leg extensor force (torque), but not maximal contraction velocity, was significantly associated with muscle power in MH. Both torque and velocity were significantly associated with muscle power in OH. Maximal velocity, but not torque, was associated with power in OML. Maximal velocity demonstrated an association with multiple chair rise time and stair climb time in OML, but not MH or OH. It is concluded that movement velocity is an increasingly important determinant of maximal power output with advancing age. Furthermore, movement velocity is also a critical component of functional task performance with aging and may contribute to functional deficits. These findings help to explain why the rate-dependent variable power has emerged as a critical component of both assessment and rehabilitation of muscular performance and physical function in older adults.     

Linguistic measures of the referential process in psychodynamic treatment: The English and Italian versions

Abstract

The referential process is defined in the context of Bucci's multiple code theory as the process by which nonverbal experience is connected to language. The English computerized measures of the referential process, which have been applied in psychotherapy research, include the Weighted Referential Activity Dictionary (WRAD), and measures of Reflection, Affect and Disfluency. This paper presents the development of the Italian version of the IWRAD by modeling Italian texts scored by judges, and shows the application of the IWRAD and other Italian measures in three psychodynamic treatments evaluated for personality change using the Shedler-Westen Assessment Procedure (SWAP-200). Clinical predictions based on applications of the English measures were supported.     

Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of mitral valve morphology by intraoperative volume-rendered three-dimensional echocardiography

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) performed to evaluate mitral valve anatomy during valve repair has certain limitations and pitfalls. The study aim was to assess the feasibility, accuracy and incremental value of three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE), coupled with 2DE in evaluating mitral valve structure, before and after repair and pericardial posterior annuloplasty. METHODS: The site and extent of mitral valve prolapse, systolic and diastolic changes of mitral annular area were evaluated using 2D and 3D transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), both pre- and postoperatively in 34 patients before and after mitral valve repair and pericardial posterior annuloplasty. RESULTS: Concordance between 2DE and surgery in evaluating prolapsing mitral valve scallops was 76% for the anterior leaflet and 75% for the posterior leaflet; for 3DE and surgery, concordance was 87% and 93% respectively. There was a significant reduction in maximal and minimal annular area after surgery, with a statistically significant difference between systolic-diastolic changes. CONCLUSION: 3DE, coupled with 2DE, is feasible and accurate in delineating the extent and location of prolapsing scallops of the mitral valve. The combined approach is also valuable in planning mitral valve surgery and evaluating the mitral valve annulus in vivo.     

Depletion of immunoglobulin M memory B cells is associated with splenic hypofunction in inflammatory bowel disease

OBJECTIVES: IgM memory B cells that are responsible for the protection against infections by encapsulated bacteria, require the spleen for their generation and/or survival. Since the association between inflammatory bowel disease and functional hyposplenism is well described, our aim was to verify whether IgM memory B cells mirror the reduced splenic function in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis patients. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 32 Crohn's disease and 29 ulcerative colitis patients, 33 healthy controls, and 27 splenectomized patients. Perendoscopic intestinal biopsies were also collected from 15 of 32 Crohn's disease patients, 14 of 29 ulcerative colitis patients and 13 of 33 control subjects. Counting of erythrocytes with membrane abnormalities (pitted red cells) was used as an indicator of splenic function and flow cytometry was performed to analyze both peripheral and mucosal B cells. RESULTS: Twelve of 32 Crohn's disease patients and 13 of 29 ulcerative colitis patients had pitted red cell values >4% and were considered to be hyposplenic. In inflammatory bowel disease patients circulating IgM memory B cells were significantly lower than in control subjects. We observed a significant inverse correlation between the frequency of circulating IgM memory B cell and the pitted red cell values in inflammatory bowel disease patients with hyposplenism. To exclude the possibility that the reduction of circulating IgM memory B cells reflected their recruitment in the inflamed bowel mucosa, lamina propria B-cell populations were also characterized. We found that the frequency of IgM memory B cells was similar in the blood and in the lamina propria of the same patient. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that peripheral IgM memory B cells are reduced in inflammatory bowel disease patients and this defect seems to be related to the impairment of splenic function.     

n-3 LC-PUFA supplementation: effects on infant and maternal outcomes

Background

Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA), particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid, are, respectively, n-3 and n-6 family members and play an important role in fetal and infant growth and development. Pregnancy and lactation impose special nutritional needs for the mother-fetus situation. Since the LC-PUFA required by the fetus is supplied by preferential placental transfer of preformed LC-PUFA rather than their precursor, it has been hypothesized that additional maternal supply of LC-PUFA, especially DHA, during pregnancy may improve maternal and infant outcomes.

Aim

To summarize evidences of the effect of n-3 LC-PUFA intake during pregnancy and lactation on maternal and infant outcomes in order to offer a comprehensive view of this issue that should be useful for clinical practice.

Results

Maternal n-3 LC-PUFA supplementation may reduce risk for early preterm birth >34 weeks and seems very promising for primary allergy prevention during childhood. On the contrary, there are not sufficient data proving that the consumption of oils rich in n-3 LC-PUFA during pregnancy optimizes child’s visual and neurodevelopment and reduces the risk for preeclampsia and perinatal depression; the implications of these findings remain to be elucidated.

Conclusion

The implications of n-3 LC-PUFA supplementation on fetal development, maternal outcomes and later infant growth is worth being elucidated and is promising in its potential for a positive impact on fetal and maternal outcomes.