An "in Vitro" study of polymer-based composites

Structures of most tissues in the human body can be simulated with fibrous composite materials. A major problem associated with designing biocompatible composites for reconstruction of damaged or missing tissues is the ability to mimic such structures. The physical, chemical and mechanical properties of composite materials should be similar to those of the native tissue. Another very important factor of polymer-based fibrous composite materials, which can relatively easily be modified, is their surface microstructure. This surface microstructure depends on the way of preparation, type of polymer matrix and kind of reinforcement. This work was aimed to determine the biological properties of composites obtained from carbon fibres and a polymer matrix, which can be used as biomaterial in the reconstruction of cartilage tissue. Two types of samples made from short carbon fibres and two kinds of polymers were tested. The samples were prepared by casting technique. MTT tests were carried out in the presence of hFOB-1.19-line human osteoblasts and HS-5-line human fibroblasts. The results show differences in viability of living cells. Results of the work show significant differences in biocompatibility of pure polymers and composites with short carbon fibres

Elaboration and characterization of biodegradable scaffolds from poly (L-Lactide-co-glycolide) synthesized with low-toxic zirconium acetylacetonate

Objectives: The aim of the study was to answer the questions whether poly (L-lactide-co-glycolide) synthesized with the use of zirconium acetylacetonate: (i) is less toxic in vitro than that synthesized with tin compound; (ii) is it possible to produce scaffolds from such copolymer, and (iii) how these scaffolds degrade in vitro. Methods: A human osteoblast line (Saos2) was used to verify the biocompatibility of the copolymer. Porous scaffolds were obtained via the solvent casting / particulate leaching technique. The scaffolds were characterized in terms of surface chemistry (FTIR-ATR, contact angle), microstructure (porosity, water uptake, SEM) and degradation in PBS (GPC, SEM, FTIR-ATR, mass loss). Results: The copolymer synthesized with the zirconium compound performs better in contact with osteoblasts in vitro than that synthesized with tin. Porous scaffolds from a such copolymer can be easily prepared by the solvent casting/salt leaching technique. These scaffolds, having a high open porosity (88% ± 2%) and water uptake of (630% ± 50%) maintain their dimensions and porous microstructure for 8 weeks in PBS. The scaffolds degrade in vitro, but the rate of degradation is quite low. Conclusion: The results of biological, textural, and physico-chemical properties of obtained porous material, regarding its behaviour in conditions simulating biological environment, show that it could be used as a scaffold for bone tissue engineering

Artificial Intelligence Application in Assessment of Panoramic Radiographs

The aim of this study was to assess the reliability of the artificial intelligence (AI) automatic evaluation of panoramic radiographs (PRs). Thirty PRs, covering at least six teeth with the possibility of assessing the marginal and apical periodontium, were uploaded to the Diagnocat (LLC Diagnocat, Moscow, Russia) account, and the radiologic report of each was generated as the basis of automatic evaluation. The same PRs were manually evaluated by three independent evaluators with 12, 15, and 28 years of experience in dentistry, respectively. The data were collected in such a way as to allow statistical analysis with SPSS Statistics software (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA). A total of 90 reports were created for 30 PRs. The AI protocol showed very high specificity (above 0.9) in all assessments compared to ground truth except from periodontal bone loss. Statistical analysis showed a high interclass correlation coefficient (ICC > 0.75) for all interevaluator assessments, proving the good credibility of the ground truth and the reproducibility of the reports. Unacceptable reliability was obtained for caries assessment (ICC = 0.681) and periapical lesions assessment (ICC = 0.619). The tested AI system can be helpful as an initial evaluation of screening PRs, giving appropriate credibility reports and suggesting additional diagnostic methods for more accurate evaluation if needed

Bioresorbable porous poly-(glycolide-co-L-lactide) scaffolds for tissue engineering : the influence of microstructure on osteoblasts in vitro

Opracowano trzy rodzaje bioresorbowalnych gąbek dla inżynierii tkankowej. Gąbki te miały taką samą chemiczną budowę powierzchni i udziai objętościowy porów, ale różny rozmiar porów: około 600 r/m, 200pm i 40pm. Badania komórkowe (przeżywalność, synteza kolagenu) wykazały, że gąbka o największym rozmiarze porów jest najkorzystniejsza dla hodowli osteoblastów in vitro.Three types of bioresorbable foams for bone tissue engineering proposes have been elaborated. The foams have identical surface chemistry and volume fraction of pores but different pore sizes: about 600pm, 200 pm and 40 pm, respectively. The results of in vitro osteoblasts study (viability and collagen synthesis) indicate that the best is the foam having the biggest size ofpores

Impact of COVID-19 on pregnancy and delivery — current knowledge

The World Health Organization announced on 12 March 2020 a global pandemic of the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus causingCOVID-19 disease associated with pneumonia and acute respiratory failure. SARS-CoV-2 has caused so far over 6.66 millionrecorded cases, of which 393,000 ended in death (as of June 1, 2020). Despite the demographic statistics of incidence,there is no current recording of cases in the group of pregnant or perinatal women. Changes occurring in the female bodysystem during pregnancy also affect and alter the immune system, and as studies based on other viral respiratory infectionshave shown, the population of pregnant women is at risk of having a severe course of the disease. The aim of the study isto summarize current reports on the course of COVID-19 disease in a group of pregnant women and the possible impactof SARS-CoV-2 on the foetus and vertical transmission, taking into account changes occurring in the woman’s immunesystem during pregnancy. Available advice and recommendations for antenatal and perinatal care of pregnant womenduring the pandemic period are also included

The Spray-Dried Alginate/Gelatin Microparticles with Luliconazole as Mucoadhesive Drug Delivery System

Candida species are opportunistic fungi, which are primary causative agents of vulvovaginal candidiasis. The cure of candidiasis is difficult, lengthy, and associated with the fungi resistivity. Therefore, the research for novel active substances and unconventional drug delivery systems providing effective and safe treatment is still an active subject. Microparticles, as multicompartment dosage forms due to larger areas, provide short passage of drug diffusion, which might improve drug therapeutic efficiency. Sodium alginate is a natural polymer from a polysaccharide group, possessing swelling, mucoadhesive, and gelling properties. Gelatin A is a natural high-molecular-weight polypeptide obtained from porcine collagen. The purpose of this study was to prepare microparticles by the spray-drying of alginate/gelatin polyelectrolyte complex mixture, with a novel antifungal drug—luliconazole. In the next stage of research, the effect of gelatin presence on pharmaceutical properties of designed formulations was assessed. Interrelations among polymers were evaluated with thermal analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. A valid aspect of this research was the in vitro antifungal activity estimation of designed microparticles using Candida species: C. albicans, C. krusei, and C. parapsilosis. It was shown that the gelatin addition affected the particles size, improved encapsulation efficiency and mucoadhesiveness, and prolonged the drug release. Moreover, gelatin addition to the formulations improved the antifungal effect against Candida species.This researchwas funded by Medical University of Bialystok grant SUB/2/DN/22/004/2215.Marta Szekalska: [email protected] Szekalska - Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Medical University of Białystok, Mickiewicza 2c, 15-222 Białystok, PolandMagdalena Wróblewska - Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Medical University of Białystok, Mickiewicza 2c, 15-222 Białystok, PolandAnna Czajkowska-Kośnik - Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Medical University of Białystok, Mickiewicza 2c, 15-222 Białystok, PolandKatarzyna Sosnowska - Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Medical University of Białystok, Mickiewicza 2c, 15-222 Białystok, PolandPaweł Misiak - Department of Polymers and Organic Synthesis, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Białystok, 15-245 Białystok, PolandAgnieszka Zofia Wilczewska - Department of Polymers and Organic Synthesis, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Białystok, 15-245 Białystok, PolandKatarzyna Winnicka - Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Medical University of Białystok, Mickiewicza 2c, 15-222 Białystok, PolandWillems, H.M.E.; Ahmed, S.S.; Liu, J.; Xu, Z.; Peters, B.M. 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Mycobiology 2010, 38, 328–330.Strand, A.; Vähäsalo, L.; Ketola, A.; Salminen, K.; Retulainen, E.; Sundberg, A. In-situ analysis of polyelectrolyte complexes by flow cytometry. Cellulose 2018, 25, 3781–3795.Tran, T.H.; Ramasamy, T.; Poudel, B.K.; Marasini, N.; Moon, B.K.; Cho, H.J.; Choi, H.-G.; Yong, C.S.; Kim, J.O. Preparation and characterization of spray-dried gelatin microspheres encapsulating ganciclovir. Macromol. Res. 2013, 22, 124–130.Danaei, M.; Dehghankhold, M.; Ataei, S.; Hasanzadeh Davarani, F.; Javanmard, R.; Dokhani, A.; Khorasani, S.; Mozafari, M.R. Impact of Particle Size and Polydispersity Index on the Clinical Applications of Lipidic Nanocarrier Systems. Pharmaceutics 2018, 10, 57.Tu, L.; He, Y.; Yang, H.; Wu, Z.; Yi, L. Preparation and characterization of alginate–gelatin microencapsulated Bacillus subtilis SL-13 by emulsification/internal gelation. J. Biomater. Sci. Polym. Ed. 2015, 26, 735–749.Palmieri, G.F.; Bonacucina, G.; Di Martino, P.; Martelli, S. 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"Stare" i "nowe" media w kontekście kampanii politycznych i sprawowania władzy

Praca recenzowana / peer-reviewed paperPublikacja składa się z piętnastu tekstów autorów reprezentujących ważne ośrodki akademickie kraju. Podzielona została na dwie części. Pierwszą stanowią teksty ukazujące wieloaspektowość funkcjonowania mediów w przestrzeni publicznej. Druga część publikacji to zróżnicowane przykłady zastosowania nowoczesnych mediów w funkcjonowaniu współczesnej polityki światowej i krajowej