Controlled degradability of PCL-ZnO nanofibrous scaffolds for bone tissue engineering and their antibacterial activity

Up to date, tissue regeneration of large bone defects is a clinical challenge under exhaustive study. Nowadays, the most common clinical solutions concerning bone regeneration involve systems based on human or bovine tissues, which suffer from drawbacks like antigenicity, complex processing, low osteoinductivity, rapid resorption and minimal acceleration of tissue regeneration. This work thus addresses the development of nanofibrous synthetic scaffolds of polycaprolactone (PCL) - a long-term degradation polyester - compounded with hydroxyapatite (HA) and variable concentrations of ZnO as alternative solutions for accelerated bone tissue regeneration in applications requiring mid- and long-term resorption. In vitro cell response of human fetal osteoblasts as well as antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus of PCL:HA:ZnO and PCL:ZnO scaffolds were here evaluated. Furthermore, the effect of ZnO nanostructures at different concentrations on in vitro degradation of PCL electrospun scaffolds was analyzed. The results proved that higher concentrations ZnO may induce early mineralization, as indicated by high alkaline phosphatase activity levels, cell proliferation assays and positive Alizarin-Red-S-stained calcium deposits. Moreover, all PCL:ZnO scaffolds particularly showed antibacterial activity against S. aureus which may be attributed to release of Zn2+ ions. Additionally, results here obtained showed a variable PCL degradation rate as a function of ZnO concentration. Therefore, this work suggests that our PCL:ZnO scaffolds may be promising and competitive short-, mid- and long-term resorption systems against current clinical solutions for bone tissue regeneration.Fil: Felice, Betiana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Tecnología; ArgentinaFil: Sanchez, Maria Alejandra. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Tecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Socci, Maria Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Tecnología; ArgentinaFil: Sappia, Luciano David. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Tecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Gómez, María Inés. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química Inorgánica; ArgentinaFil: Cruz, María Karina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química Inorgánica; ArgentinaFil: Felice, Carmelo Jose. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Tecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Martí, Mercè. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; EspañaFil: Pividori, María Isabel. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; EspañaFil: Simonelli, Gabriela. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto de Física del Noroeste Argentino. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet Noa Sur. Instituto de Física del Noroeste Argentino; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez, Andrea Paola. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Tecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentin

The Association between HDL-C and Subclinical Atherosclerosis Depends on CETP Plasma Concentration:Insights from the IMPROVE Study

The impact of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) on atherosclerosis is highly debated. This study aimed to investigate the associations between plasma CETP or CETP genotypes and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and the influence of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) on these associations. Plasma CETP and HDL-C concentrations were measured in 552 subjects free of any pharmacological treatment from the IMPROVE cohort, which includes 3711 European subjects at high cardiovascular risk. CETP single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and cIMT measures (cIMT(max); cIMT(mean-max) of bifurcations, common and internal carotids; plaque-free common carotid [PF CC]-IMTmean) were available for the full cohort. In drug-free subjects, plasma CETP correlated with HDL-C levels (r = 0.19, p < 0.0001), but not with cIMT variables. When stratified according to HDL-C quartiles, CETP positively correlated with cIMT(max) and cIMT(mean-max), but not with PF CC-IMTmean, in the top HDL-C quartile only. Positive associations between the CETP concentration and cIMT(max) or cIMT(mean-max) were found in the top HDL-C quartile, whereas HDL-C levels were negatively correlated with cIMT(max) and cIMT(mean-max) when the CETP concentration was below the median (HDL-C x CETP interaction, p = 0.001 and p = 0.003 for cIMT(max) and cIMT(mean-max), respectively). In the full cohort, three CETP SNPs (rs34760410, rs12920974, rs12708968) were positively associated with cIMT(max). rs12444708 exhibited a significant interaction with HDL-C levels in the prediction of cIMT(max). In conclusion, a significant interplay was found between plasma CETP and/or CETP genotype and HDL-C in the prediction of carotid plaque thickness, as indexed by cIMT(max). This suggests that the association of HDL-C with carotid atherosclerosis is CETP-dependent

Timing of surgery following SARS‐CoV‐2 infection: an international prospective cohort study

Peri-operative SARS-CoV-2 infection increases postoperative mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal duration of planned delay before surgery in patients who have had SARS-CoV-2 infection. This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study included patients undergoing elective or emergency surgery during October 2020. Surgical patients with pre-operative SARS-CoV-2 infection were compared with those without previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality. Logistic regression models were used to calculate adjusted 30-day mortality rates stratified by time from diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection to surgery. Among 140,231 patients (116 countries), 3127 patients (2.2%) had a pre-operative SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis. Adjusted 30-day mortality in patients without SARS-CoV-2 infection was 1.5% (95%CI 1.4–1.5). In patients with a pre-operative SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis, mortality was increased in patients having surgery within 0–2 weeks, 3–4 weeks and 5–6 weeks of the diagnosis (odds ratio (95%CI) 4.1% (3.3–4.8), 3.9% (2.6–5.1) and 3.6% (2.0–5.2), respectively). Surgery performed ≥ 7 weeks after SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis was associated with a similar mortality risk to baseline (odds ratio (95%CI) 1.5% (0.9– 2.1%)). After a ≥ 7 week delay in undertaking surgery following SARS-CoV-2 infection, patients with ongoing symptoms had a higher mortality than patients whose symptoms had resolved or who had been asymptomatic (6.0% (95%CI 3.2–8.7) vs. 2.4% (95%CI 1.4–3.4) vs. 1.3% (95%CI 0.6–2.0%), respectively). Where possible, surgery should be delayed for at least 7 weeks following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients with ongoing symptoms ≥ 7 weeks from diagnosis may benefit from further delay

Construção de política para gestão de resíduos na Universidade de São Paulo como modelo para implementação da PNRS em IES

The actual scenario of the University of São Paulo (USP) has, in an isolated form, various environmental initiatives in diverse fronts, according to the reality of its campi. In 2010, USP designated an Environmental Management coordinator attached to the university’s rectory. The following year USP approved the its Environmental Policy, that promotes environmental sustainability in all its campi. In 2012 the Environmental Management Superintendence (SGA) was created as an office responsible for environmental management of the university, with the objective of developing norms for environmental issues in agreement to the proposed environmental policy. This superintendence created in 2012 a Working Group for dealing with issues related to solid residues generated in USP. This group, composed of specialists in this area and coordinated by an member of the SGA, developed, using participative processes, strategies and procedures for the elaboration and implementation of the Solid Residue Management Policy (PGRUSP). This policy following a previous model (PUSP-C, 2010), has as objective adequate the National Solid Residue Policy (PNRS) to the university’s environment. An initial version of the PGRUSP was presented to the academic community in a Forum promoted by the SGA. In this occasion, representatives of all the categories coming from the university’s different campi, apart from members of the external community, analyzed the document and made suggestions on its contents that were later included in the final document. PGRUSP determines the elaboration of Residue Management Plans in all the units that belong to USP. At this moment, the Working Group is elaborating directives for the training of the academic community for the execution of an ample residue diagnosis, with the objective of also mobilizing and publicizing the directives of the PGRUSP. The training and residue management plan construction presupposes learning about the practical issues of residue management. Data production and indicator construction will be the basis for the continuous and efficient implementation of this policy. For the ordering of the data a virtual platform is being developed. With such a platform, USP pretends to control generation, stocking, treatment and destination of Solid Residues produced in its academic units. It pretends with this database, to generate information that will permit the SGA to make decisions that will improve residue management in USP’s campi and, consequently, minimize environmental impacts caused in all levels of its activities. O cenário atual da Universidade de São Paulo (USP) tem, isoladamente, diversas ações ambientais em diferentes frentes, de acordo com a realidade de seus campi. Em 2010, a USP designou um coordenador de Gestão Ambiental junto à Reitoria. No ano seguinte, regulamentou a Política Ambiental da USP, que visa promover a sustentabilidade ambiental nos campi. Em 2012, foi criado um órgão institucional responsável pela gestão ambiental, a Superintendência de Gestão Ambiental (SGA), que tem como premissa ditar normas para questões ambientais em consonância com a política ambiental proposta. Esta superintendência formou, em 2012, um Grupo de Trabalho para cuidar das questões relativas aos resíduos gerados na USP. Tal grupo, composto por especialistas na área, sob a coordenação de um assessor de gabinete da própria SGA, priorizou desenvolver, através de processos participativos, estratégias e procedimentos para elaboração e implantação de uma Política de Gestão de Resíduos (PGRUSP), com base na Política Nacional de Resíduos Sólidos. A PGRUSP prevê a elaboração dos planos de gerenciamento de resíduos em todas as unidades pertencentes à USP e prevê também a capacitação da comunidade acadêmica para a realização de um diagnóstico de resíduos e sistematização dos indicadores numa plataforma virtual unificada de resíduos. Assim, pretende-se controlar tanto os insumos utilizados como a geração, o armazenamento, os tratamentos e os descartes relacionados aos resíduos gerados em nossas Unidades e, consequentemente, minimizar impactos ambientais causados em todos os níveis e atividades

role of lcat in atherosclerosis

Lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) is the only enzyme capable of esterifying cholesterol in plasma, thus determining the maturation of high-density lipoproteins. Because it maintains an unesterified cholesterol gradient between peripheral cells and extracellular acceptors, for a long time, LCAT has been considered as a key enzyme in reverse cholesterol transport. However, despite the fact that it has been more than 50 years since the identification of LCAT, the role of this enzyme in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is still debated. A number of studies have been conducted in different animal models, with contradictory results. Studies in humans, in particular in the general population, in subjects at high cardiovascular risk, and in carriers of genetic LCAT deficiency in an excellent model to evaluate the correlation between the reduction of LCAT activity and atherosclerosis also gave conflicting results. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the controversial findings obtained in animals and humans, strengthening the necessity of further investigation to establish how LCAT could be regulated in a promising therapeutic strategy to reduce cardiovascular risk

The role of HIV-1 DNA levels in HIV-related lymphoma patients treated with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT)

Objective. Aim of our study was to evaluate the kinetics of HIV-1 DNA levels (HIV DNA) and its clinical role in HIV-related lymphoma patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Materials and methods. HIV DNA was measured by real-time PCR in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 22 patients, 16 with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and 6 with Hodgkin’s disease. Results: Baseline HIV DNA levels were associated with HIV-1 RNA levels (HIV RNA) (r = 0.56, p = 0.02), but not with CD4 counts (r = - 0.10, p = 0.68).The viremia was undetectable for all the follow-up time post-ASCT, while HIV DNA could be evaluated in a high percentage of patients before ASCT and during the entire follow-up (median, 89.5%). At 3 months and at 1 year from transplantation, the median HIV DNA levels were 113 copies/106 PBMCs (baseline vs. 3 months, p &gt; 0.05) and 66 copies/106 PBMCs (baseline vs. 1 year, p &gt; 0.05), respectively. Moreover, baseline HIV DNA levels were significantly different between alive and deceased patients (p = 0.03), and the overall survival (OS) analysis showed that patients with higher HIV DNA levels at baseline had an increased and nearly significant risk of dying if compared to patients with lower levels (HR, 8.33, 95% CI, 0.99-70.06, p = 0.05). Conclusions: Our study demonstrated the association between increased HIV DNA levels at baseline and overall survival after ASCT, in one of the largest cohorts of HIV-lymphoma patients, treated with salvage therapy