Cell micropatterning on superhydrophobic diamond nanowires

Cell micropatterning was achieved in a spatially controlled manner based on heterogeneously wetted superhydrophilic/superhydrophobic diamond nanowire (NW) surfaces. Diamond NWs were synthesized on boron-doped diamond substrates using reactive ion etching and functionalized with octadecyltrichlorosilane to achieve superhydrophobicity. Superhydrophilic motifs of 400 × 400 μm² and 10 × 10 μm² single cell-sized motifs, surrounded by superhydrophobic regions, were then generated by selectively exposing the substrates to UV light. This design allowed successful patterning of single HeLa and MCF-10A cells within the superhydrophilic regions without additional surface modification. To add a further level of complexity, micropatterned co-cultures were obtained using bovine serum albumin to promote cell adhesion. This method is simple and does not require any complicated processing steps such as mask deposition or template removal. Potential applications are in the development of cell-based biological assays in well-controlled and biologically relevant environments.     

Fast oscillations during gasping and other non-eupneic respiratory behaviors: Clues to central pattern generation

The mammalian nervous system exhibits fast synchronous oscillations, which are especially prominent in respiratory-related nerve discharges. In the phrenic nerve, they include high- (HFO), medium- (MFO), and low-frequency (LFO) oscillations. Because motoneurons firing at HFO-related frequencies had never been recorded, an epiphenomenological mechanism for their existence had been posited. We have recently recorded phrenic motoneurons firing at HFO-related frequencies in unanesthetized decerebrate rats and showed that they exhibit dynamic coherence with the phrenic nerve, validating synchronous motoneuronal discharge as a mechanism underlying the generation of HFO. In so doing, we have helped validate the conclusions of previous studies by us and other investigators who have used changes in fast respiratory oscillations to make inferences about central respiratory pattern generation. Here, we seek to review changes occurring in fast synchronous oscillations during non-eupneic respiratory behaviors, with special emphasis on gasping, and the inferences that can be drawn from these dynamics regarding respiratory pattern formation.     

Histopathological and functional effects of antimony on the renal cortex of growing albino rat

Contamination of the environment with antimony compounds may affect human health through the persistent exposure to small doses over a long period. Sixty growing male albino rats, weighing 43-57 grams, utilized in this study. The animals were divided into 3 groups; each of 20 rats: animals of group I served as control, animals of group II received 6 mg/kg body weight antimony trisulfide daily for 8 weeks with drinking water, and those of group III received the same dose by the same route for 12 weeks. The Malpighian renal corpuscles showed distortion, destruction and congestion of glomerular tuft, vacuoles in the glomeruli, peritubular haemorrhage, obliteration of Bowman’s space, and thickening with irregularity of Bowman’s membrane. The proximal convoluted tubules demonstrated patchy loss of their brush border, thickening of the basement membrane with loss of its basal infoldings, disarrangement of the mitochondria, pleomorphic vacuoles in the cytoplasm, apical destruction of the cells, apical migration of the nuclei, and absence of microvilli. On the other hand, peri-tubular hemorrhage, apical vacuolation, small atrophic nuclei, swelling of mitochondria, obliteration of the lumina, destruction of cells, and presence of tissue debris in the lumina, were observed in the distal convoluted tubules. The present work demonstrated the hazardous effect of antimony on the renal function as evidenced by the significant increase of the level of blood urea, serum creatinine, and serum sodium and potassium. In conclusion, this study proposed that continuous oral administration of antimony for 8 and 12 weeks has hazardous toxic effect on the structure and function of the kidney in growing albino rat. Based on the results of the present study, it is recommended to avoid the use of any drinking water contaminated with antimony compounds and forbidden its use in infants and children foods.     

Metastatic proximal epithelioid sarcoma in pleural effusion: Cytopathologic findings and differential diagnosis

We present a rare occurrence of metastatic proximal epithelioid sarcoma (PES) in the pleural effusion of a 23‐year‐old man, developed within one year of diagnosis in his gluteal soft tissue. The cytologic and immunoperoxidase findings are described. PES, due to its epithelioid morphology, can be confused with more common cancers in effusions such as adenocarcinoma and mesothelioma. PES is an aggressive neoplasm that differs clinically and pathologically from conventional epithelioid sarcoma. Knowledge of its cytomorphology in serous cavity effusions, a patient's clinical history and ancillary studies may lead to an accurate diagnosis. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2013. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Enhancing Guided Tissue Regeneration of Periodontal Defects by Using a Novel Perforated Barrier Membrane

Background: The present study was designed to determine whether exclusion of the gingival connective tissue (CT) and periosteum with contained stem cells has a positive or negative effect on periodontal regeneration by comparing the use of a novel modified perforated collagen membrane with a traditional cell occlusive barrier membrane. Methods: Twenty non‐smoking patients with severe chronic periodontitis were included in the study. Single deep intrabony defects from each of the patients were randomly divided into two groups, as follows: occlusive bovine collagen membranes (OM control group, 10 sites) and modified perforated bovine collagen membranes (MPM test group, 10 sites). Plaque index, gingival index, probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), defect base level (DBL), and crestal bone level (CBL) were measured at baseline and were reassessed at 6 and 9 months after therapy to evaluate the quantitative changes in the defect. Results: At 6‐ and 9‐month observation periods, the MPM‐treated sites showed a statistically significant improvement in PD reduction and CAL gain compared with the OM control group. DBL was significantly reduced with no significant difference between the two groups at 6‐ and 9‐month observation periods. CBL was significantly higher in the MPM group when compared with that of the OM group at both observation periods. The postoperative differences between the two groups were 2 and 1.7 mm at 6 and 9 months, respectively, in favor of the MPM‐treated sites. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated enhanced clinical outcomes when using novel MPMs compared to OMs in guided tissue regeneration procedures. These results may be affected by the penetration of gingival CT contained stem cells and periosteal cells and their differentiation into components of the attachment apparatus.     

Doxycycline‐Loaded β‐Tricalcium Phosphate Release Following EDTA Root Surface Etching Improved the Clinical Outcomes in Chronic Periodontitis: An In Vivo Study

Background: The main objective of the present study is to quantify doxycycline (DOX) release from β‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP) after EDTA root surface treatment. Methods: Thirty systemically healthy patients with ≥1 paired contralateral interproximal intrabony defect ≥4 mm deep along with an interproximal probing depth ≥6 mm and clinical attachment level ≥4 mm were randomized into two groups. Group 1 (G1) consisted of sites treated with open flap debridement followed by placement of DOX blended with β‐TCP (DOX‐β‐TCP), whereas group 2 (G2) sites were treated with flap surgery followed by the placement of DOX blended with β‐TCP after EDTA etching of the exposed root surfaces (DOX‐β‐TCP + EDTA). Samples of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) were obtained 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 days after surgery. Quantitative measurements of DOX were taken with high‐performance liquid chromatography. Clinical evaluation and follow‐up for 6 months were performed. Results: At 21 days, the DOX‐β‐TCP + EDTA–treated group showed a 194.7 µg/mL value. The DOX‐β‐TCP + EDTA–treated group retained more DOX during the periods of 3, 7, 10, 14, and 21 days than the DOX‐β‐TCP–treated group. Six months after therapy, DOX‐β‐TCP + EDTA–treated sites showed more significant clinical improvements compared to DOX‐β‐TCP–treated sites (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: EDTA root surface etching enhances DOX availability in the GCF following its release from β‐TCP as a drug carrier.     

Mycobacterium fortuitum skin infection as a complication of anabolic steroids: a rare case report

Mycobacterium fortuitum is a rare cause of recurrent skin abscesses in an immunocompetent person. We report the case of a 37-year-old man presenting with multiple recurrent non-healing skin abscesses. Culture of the abscess wall yielded growth of M fortuitum. In our case, we highlight the association of anabolic steroids with non-tuberculous mycobacterial skin abscesses that fail to resolve despite repeated drainage.