Modelling human choices: MADeM and decision‑making

Research supported by FAPESP 2015/50122-0 and DFG-GRTK 1740/2. RP and AR are also part of the Research, Innovation and Dissemination Center for Neuromathematics FAPESP grant (2013/07699-0). RP is supported by a FAPESP scholarship (2013/25667-8). ACR is partially supported by a CNPq fellowship (grant 306251/2014-0)

Plasma components and platelet activation are essential for the antimicrobial properties of autologous platelet-rich plasma: an in vitro study.

Autologous platelet concentrates are successfully adopted in a variety of medical fields to stimulate bone and soft tissue regeneration. The rationale for their use consists in the delivery of a wide range of platelet-derived bioactive molecules that promotes wound healing. In addition, antimicrobial properties of platelet concentrates have been pointed out. In this study, the effect of the platelet concentration, of the activation step and of the presence of plasmatic components on the antimicrobial activity of pure platelet-rich plasma was investigated against gram positive bacteria isolated from oral cavity. The antibacterial activity, evaluated as the minimum inhibitory concentration, was determined through the microdilution two-fold serial method. Results seem to suggest that the antimicrobial activity of platelet-rich plasma against Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus oralis and Staphylococcus aureus is sustained by a co-operation between plasma components and platelet-derived factors and that the activation of coagulation is a fundamental step. The findings of this study may have practical implications in the modality of application of platelet concentrates

Evaluation of a Modified Roche Enzymatic Ammonia Method for Roche Cobas 6000 (c501 Module) Automated Platform: When 5 \ub5L Improves Performance

We evaluated a modified Roche NH3L method developed by our group that significantly reduced the error flag "> ABS (> Absorbance)" on the COBAS 6000 (c501 module) automated platform

Bacterial load in bones of all the experimental groups.

<p>No colonies were detected in group I, the sham control (L.o.D.  =  limit of detection). With an infecting dose of 1×10³ CFU/mouse, a mean of 5.3±1.2 (Log CFU)/g of bone was found in the explants of group II, with a statistical difference in respect to group I. A mean of 3.6 ± 0.9 (Log CFU)/g of bone was found in the explants of group III, with a statistical difference in respect to group I (one-way ANOVA, *P<0.05; **P<0.01; n = 4).</p

Histology of the femurs in the experimental groups (n = 4).

<p>Figures represent H&E staining in the left and middle panels and Gram-positive staining in the right panel. Legend: femur (F), tibia (T), cortical bone (CB), and medullary canal (MC). Group I - A) Normal aspect of the knee joint and absence of signs of infection (Magnification 2X, scale bar 1 mm); B) Absence of inflammatory cells in the medullary canal, of bone resorption or periosteal reaction (Magnification 4X, scale bar 0.5 mm) and presence of osteocytes within cortical bone lacunae (small box, Magnification 1000X); C) Absence of Gram-positive bacteria aggregates (Magnification 10X, scale bar 0.2 mm). Group II – D) Abscesses in the knee joint (black arrow) and in the medullary canal (Magnification 2X, scale bar 1 mm); E) Endosteal bone resorption (#), active osteoclasts (black arrows), marked periosteal reaction (*) (Magnification 4X, scale bar 0.5 mm) and diffuse enlargement of the medullary canal with osteoclastic resorption in the endosteal side (small box, Magnification 20X, scale bar 0.1 mm); F) Presence of numerous Gram-positive bacteria aggregates (Magnification 10X, scale bar 0.2 mm; small box, Magnification 1000X). Group III - G) Irregular surface of the articular cartilage of the knee joint and mild inflammatory changes of bone and joint (Magnification 2X, scale bar 1 mm); H) Diffuse increase of the vascular network and bone vessel enlargement (#) and areas of bone remodeling (black arrow) (Magnification 4X, scale bar 0.5 mm); large osteocytes embedded in cortical bone lacunae (small box, Magnification 1000X); I) Mild presence of dispersed Gram-positive bacteria within the medullary canal (Magnification 10X, scale bar 0.1 mm; small box, Magnification 1000X).</p

Histological grading score histogram.

<p>The histogram shows a high statistically significant difference in the histological grading score in periosteum, cortex and medullary canal of group I versus group II and a difference in the score of the medullary canal of group I versus group III (two-way ANOVA, ***P<0.001; *P<0.05; n = 4).</p

Antibacterial activity of platelet concentrates against bacteria isolated from oral cavity.

<p>MIC values are expressed as dilutions from the initial concentration; in activated samples, CaCl₂ was added at a final concentration of 4.5 mM. Data are represented as mode obtained from 10 strains of each bacteria.</p><p>Antibacterial activity of platelet concentrates against bacteria isolated from oral cavity.</p

Representative micro-CT images and bone mineral density (BMD).

<p>A) Representative fluoroscopic image attests the correct placement of the implant within the femoral canal and the phantom calibration placed in the field of view; B) Magnified representative micro-CT images of the femurs containing metallic implants in transversal views in all the experimental groups. The images of groups I and III show an intact cortical bone profile of the whole femur. The image of group II shows a diffuse cortical and endosteal bone loss as signs of osteomyelitis; C) The histogram shows a high statistically significant difference in the BMD relative decrease of group II versus group III (unpaired t-test, ***P<0.0001; n = 5).</p