Affinity binding of antibodies to supermacroporous cryogel adsorbents with immobilized protein A for removal of anthrax toxin protective antigen

Polymeric cryogels are efficient carriers for the immobilization of biomolecules because of their unique macroporous structure, permeability, mechanical stability and different surface chemical functionalities. The aim of the study was to demonstrate the potential use of macroporous monolithic cryogels for biotoxin removal using anthrax toxin protective antigen (PA), the central cell-binding component of the anthrax exotoxins, and covalent immobilization of monoclonal antibodies. The affinity ligand (protein A) was chemically coupled to the reactive hydroxyl and epoxy-derivatized monolithic cryogels and the binding efficiencies of protein A, monoclonal antibodies to the cryogel column were determined. Our results show differences in the binding capacity of protein A as well as monoclonal antibodies to the cryogel adsorbents caused by ligand concentrations, physical properties and morphology of surface matrices. The cytotoxicity potential of the cryogels was determined by an in vitro viability assay using V79 lung fibroblast as a model cell and the results reveal that the cryogels are non-cytotoxic. Finally, the adsorptive capacities of PA from phosphate buffered saline (PBS) were evaluated towards a non-glycosylated, plant-derived human monoclonal antibody (PANG) and a glycosylated human monoclonal antibody (Valortim®), both of which were covalently attached via protein A immobilization. Optimal binding capacities of 108 and 117 mg/g of antibody to the adsorbent were observed for PANG attached poly(acrylamide-allyl glycidyl ether) [poly(AAm-AGE)] and Valortim® attached poly(AAm-AGE) cryogels, respectively, This indicated that glycosylation status of Valortim® antibody could significantly increase (8%) its binding capacity relative to the PANG antibody on poly(AAm-AGE)-protien-A column (p < 0.05). The amounts of PA which remained in the solution after passing PA spiked PBS through PANG or Valortim bound poly(AAm-AGE) cryogel were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased relative to the amount of PA remained in the solution after passing through unmodified as well as protein A modified poly(AAm-AGE) cryogel columns, indicates efficient PA removal from spiked PBS over 60 min of circulation. The high adsorption capacity towards anthrax toxin PA of the cryogel adsorbents indicated potential application of these materials for treatment of Bacillus anthracis infection

Does Q-MIX pretreatment improve the dentin bond durability of a two-step self-etch adhesive?

This study aims to analyze and assess the effects of three particular dentin pretreatment solutions on the bond durability of a two-step self-etch adhesive (Optibond XTR) applied to dentin after ageing for 2 years. Thirty-five third molars which were extracted (n = 5 for mu TBS, n = 2 for nanoleakage) were divided into five groups: Group 1:Control (no pretreatment), Group 2:17% EDTA, Group 3:2% CHX, Group 4:17% EDTA plus 2% CHX, Group 5: Q-Mix. After the pretreatments of dentin, the dentin adhesive was applied as per the guidelines provided by the manufacturer. Half of the specimens were subjected to mu TBS tests for 24 hr, while the remaining half were subjected to the tests after being kept for 2 years in water storage. Also, nanoleakage was evaluated with FE-SEM by examining silver nitrate deposits. The data obtained were evaluated using a two-way analysis of variance and Tukey Post Hoc test. The dentin pretreatments did not affect the 24 hr and 2 years mu TBS values for OptiBond XTR. At 24 hr, the EDTA + CHX group (50.3 +/- 4.9) showed that the highest mu TBS value was obtained. Water ageing significantly reduced the mu TBS results and after 2 years the highest mu TBS value was obtained from the Q-Mix group (37.7 +/- 5.2). Different dentin pretreatments do not alter the 24-hr mu TBS and were not able to preserve the bond strength after 2 years of ageing. Q-Mix was able to slow down the regression in the strength of the dentin bond as well as nanoleakage over time

hyaluronate injection in supraspinatus tendinitis

The objective of the study is to evaluate the short- and long-term effect of intraarticular sodium hyaluronate (SH) application in patients diagnosed with supraspinatus tendinitis (ST) that have shoulder pain on the clinical symptoms of the patients through comparison with conventional physiotherapy methods. A total of 24 patients were included in the study and were randomized into two groups.SH injection and physical therapy modalities (PTM) were administered to Group I and Group II, respectively. Home exercise programs were recommended to all of the patients in both groups. The patients were evaluated using the pain severity [Visual Analog Scale (VAS)], range of motion and functional evaluation (FE) parameters pertaining to pre-treatment, 3rd week, 3rd month and 4th year post-treatment. Patient's global effectiveness (PGE) evaluation was performed in the 3rd month and 4th year of the treatment. There were no statistically significant differences for Group I's resting VAS value between pre-treatment controls and controls in the 3rd week and 3rd month, no statistically significant differences were detected for Group II in passive flexion between pre-treatment and the 4th year, also in passive external rotation between pre-treatment and 3rd week (P > 0.05). A statistically significant recovery was detected in both groups in all the other evaluation parameters (P 0.05). It was concluded that physical therapy modalities and SH application supplemented by home exercise programs were similar effects in short- and long term for ST which causes pain in shoulder and SH application may be a better alternative with regard to effectiveness and side effects for other treatment methods applied intraarticulary

custom splint application

To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of wrist splint usage arranged by determining the optimal position on which the median nerve is compressed the least through sonographic examination for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). This study was a prospective, clinical trial with a 6-week follow-up. Twenty-four patients diagnosed clinically and electromyographically with CTS were included in the study. A total of 37 wrists were studied on. When the patients were grouped according to the optimal position, Group I comprising 16 (43.24%) wrists was at 15 degree flexion, Group II comprising 12 (32.43%) wrists was neutral, Group III comprising 6 (16.22%) wrists was at 15A degrees extension and Group IV comprising 3 (8.11%) wrists was at 30A degrees extension configurations. Groups I, II and III were included in clinical follow-up. Symptom severity score (SSS), functional status score (FSS), Grip strength and Pinch strength were used for the clinical follow-up and evaluation of the patients. When pre- and post-treatment were compared, a statistically significant recovery was detected in all three groups in respect to SSS (Group I P 0.05). In this study, by sonographic examination of the patients included in the study with CTS, we saw that the optimal position on which the median nerve is compressed the least varies depending on the individual and we determined that this position was 15A degrees flexion most frequently for our patients. We also observed that in clinical follow-up of wrist splint usage arranged on custom optimal position results in significant recovery

Art. 1.1475/ringraziamenti

Abstract. -OBJECTIVE: Studies in animals have provided key evidence that antagonizing TNF-α α is a viable therapeutic strategy for diffuse severe brain injury. This study is planned to prevent post-traumatic secondary tissue damages in rat diffuse severe brain injury model, which is induced by alone or combined administration of Etanercept and lithium chloride (LiCl). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male SpragueDawley rats were used in the current study. Rats were divided into 5 groups. Trauma was not induced and treatment was not applied to rats of Sham group. For rats of Trauma+Saline group, saline 0.9% was administered via intraperitoneal (i.p.) route at dose of 1 mg/100 g body weight 1 hour after trauma. For rats of Trauma+Etanercept group, Etanercept was administered via i.p. route at dose of 5 mg/kg body weight 1 hour after trauma. For rats of Trauma+LiCl group, LiCl was administered via i.p. route at dose of 50 mg/kg body weight 1 hour after trauma. For rats of Etanercept+LiCl group, Etanercept and LiCl were administered via i.p. route at dose of 5 mg/kg body weight and 50 mg/kg body weight, respectively, 1 hour after trauma. Serum glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and Tau levels were analyzed with ELISA. For analyses H&amp;E, TUNEL, GFAP and TNF-α α staining methods were used. RESULTS: We demonstrate that Etanercept treatment reduced the TBI-induced brain tissues alteration, reduced the expression of TNF-α α and improve edema and axonal swelling. We observed a significant decrease in TNF-α α and GFAP positivity after LiCl was administered. CONCLUSIONS: The findings obtained in this study suggest that the combination therapy with Etanercept and LiCl decreased neurona