Activity

  • Chavez Vinson posted an update 1 year, 4 months ago

    A parallel therapeutic expansion has involved bispecific monoclonal antibodies as a powerful tool for redirected T cell therapy independently from costimulatory molecules and major-histocompatibility complex. The landscape of drugs for the treatment of DLBCL has become overwhelmed by the increasing number of targeted and immunological therapies; however, none have enhanced efficacy of frontline therapy. Future direction should focus to redefine therapeutic paradigm and develop mechanism-based combinatorial regimens specifically tailored for DLBCL genetic subgroups.Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE, OMIM 264800) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder with ectopic mineralization and fragmentation of elastin fibers. It is caused by mutations of the ABCC6 gene that leads to decreased serum levels of inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi) anti-mineralization factor. The occurrence of severe complications among PXE patients highlights the importance of early diagnosis so that prompt multidisciplinary care can be provided to patients. We aimed to examine dermal connective tissue with nonlinear optical (NLO) techniques, as collagen emits second-harmonic generation (SHG) signal, while elastin can be excited by two-photon excitation fluorescence (TPF). We performed molecular genetic analysis, ophthalmological and cardiovascular assessment, plasma PPi measurement, conventional histopathological examination, and ex vivo SHG and TPF imaging in five patients with PXE and five age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Pathological mutations including one new variant were found in the ABCC6 gene in all PXE patients and their plasma PPi level was significantly lower compared with controls. Degradation and mineralization of elastin fibers and extensive calcium deposition in the mid-dermis was visualized and quantified together with the alterations of the collagen structure in PXE. Our data suggests that NLO provides high-resolution imaging of the specific histopathological features of PXE-affected skin. In vivo NLO may be a promising tool in the assessment of PXE, promoting early diagnosis and follow-up.The current work explores the surface morphology of the laser-ablated bone using Yb-fiber coupled NdYAG laser (λ = 1064 nm) in continuous wave mode. As the laser-ablated region contains physiochemically modified carbonized and nonstructural region, it becomes unknown material for the body. Thus, biomineralization on such a laser-ablated region was assessed by in vitro immersion test in noncellular simulated body fluid. The presence of hydroxyapatite was detected in the precipitated mineral product using scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis. The effect of varying laser parameters on distribution of surface morphology features was identified and its corresponding effect on biomineralization was studied.Biosafety materials used in the correct handling of low power laser equipment may interfere on the power delivered at the target tissue and, possibly, on the effects on biological tissues. The aim of this study was to evaluate the interference of the use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene (PEAD) protection materials on the output power of low power lasers. read more Two low power diode laser devices with different wavelengths (red and infrared) were used. For each wavelength, two protection materials and two evaluation times (before and after protection) were considered. The output power (mW) was measured with the tip positioned in close contact with the power meter receiver. Parametric statistical test, two-way ANOVA for repeated measures (protection material and time), was performed considering the level of significance of 5%. In respect to “time”, all groups had the output power reduced after placing the protective material (p  less then  0.05). Comparing the protection materials, the PEAD showed a greater reduction in output power than the PVC for both red and infrared wavelengths. It was concluded that, among the biosafety materials tested, PVC is the most suitable for the protection of the tip of the low power lasers.For identification of badly preserved cadavers, only a few tissues can be used as a source of DNA, mostly bones and teeth, from which sampling and DNA extraction are difficult and time-consuming. In most highly decomposed remains, the nails are preserved. The aim of this study was to evaluate nails as an alternative source of DNA instead of bones and teeth in demanding routine identification cases. An automated extraction method was optimized on nails obtained from 33 cadavers with a post-mortem interval (PMI) up to 5 years. The commercially available EZ1 Investigator Kit (Qiagen) was used for extraction, and the G2 buffer included in the kit was replaced with TNCa buffer, and DTT was added for digestion of 5 mg of nail. The DNA was purified in a Biorobot EZ1 device (Qiagen), quantified using the PowerQuant System (Promega), and STR typing was performed with the NGM kit (TFS). From 0.3 to 270 μg DNA/g of nail was obtained from the samples analyzed, with an average yield of 36 μg DNA/g of nail. Full STR profiles were obtained from all nails except one. The optimized extraction method proved to be fast and highly efficient in the removal of PCR inhibitors, and it yields high amounts of DNA for successful STR typing. Nails were implemented as the primary sample type for obtaining DNA from highly decomposed and partially skeletonized cadavers in routine forensic identification cases in our laboratory.Traumatic brain injury is among the leading causes of death in individuals under 45 years of age. However, since trauma mechanisms and survival times differ enormously, the exact mechanisms leading to the primary and secondary injury and eventually to death after traumatic brain injury (TBI) remain unclear. Several studies showed the versatile functions of microglia, the innate macrophages of the brain, following a TBI. Earlier being characterized as rather neurotoxic, neuroprotective capacities were recently demonstrated, therefore, making microglia one of the key players following TBI. Especially in cases with only short survival times, immediate microglial reactions are of great forensic interest in questions of wound age estimation. Using standardized immunohistochemical methods, we examined 8 cases which died causatively of TBI with survival times between minutes and 7 days and 5 control cases with cardiovascular failure as the cause of death to determine acute changes in microglial morphology and antigen expression after TBI.