ROS-mediated Cytotoxicity and Macrophage Activation Induced by TiO2 Nanoparticles with Different in vitro Non-Cellular Photocatalytic Activities

AIM: The aim of the study described in the present paper was to assess several in vitro effects of TiO2 nanoparticles with different colloidal and photocatalytic properties on RAW 264.7 macrophages.METHODS: The cells were exposed to Degussa P25 titania and two other types of nanoparticles synthesized by a hydrothermal procedure in our laboratory: undoped and Fe3+-doped TiO2. Compared to Degussa P25, the hydrothermal nanomaterials were significantly less active in inducing cytotoxicity, production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and release of pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6). The induced effects were analysed with respect to nanoparticle size, surface charge, hydrophilicity, semiconductor bandgap energy and photocatalytic generation of ROS under non-cellular conditions.RESULTS: The overall results indicated that TiO2 nanoparticles with higher surface charge, hydrophilic surfaces and enhanced photocatalytic properties may preferentially induce macrophage cell damage and inflammation compared to other TiO2 nanomaterials.CONCLUSION: The present findings are relevant for studies regarding the evaluation of risks raised by self-cleaning technologies involving nanosized hydrophilic TiO2 photocatalysts as well as development of synthesis methods optimized for producing biocompatible TiO2 nanomaterials

TULBURAREA AFECTIVĂ BIPOLARĂ LA COPIL, CA PROVOCARE DIAGNOSTICĂ

Tulburarea afectivă bipolară devine o patologie tot mai frecventă în sfera pediatrică, ridicând numeroase probleme de diagnostic de certitudine cât şi diferenţial. De cele mai multe ori, criteriile standard ale bolii nu sunt întru totul îndeplinite la copil, fi ind necesară o particularizare a acestora şi o mai exactă clasifi care a tipurilor nosologice. Totodată, o problemă centrală este cea a diferenţierii şi/sau detectării comorbidităţii cu ADHD şi cu tulburările de conduită ale copilului

BIPOLAR DISORDER IN CHILDREN: THE DIAGNOSTICAL CHALLENGE

The bipolar disorder becomes more and more frequent in the pediatric field, raising numerous questions regarding the diagnosis. In most cases, the standard criteria of the disease are not fully met in the case of a child, requiring their particularization and a more accurate classifi cation. Also, a central issue is the differentiation and/ or detection of comorbidity with ADHD and conduct disorders in children

The novel arthritis-drug substance MCS-18 attenuates the antibody production in vivo

Influence of the novel arthritis drug-substance MCS-18 on the antibody (Ab) production against tetanus toxoid (TT) and diphtheria toxoid (DT) antigens was tested in vivo . Possible involvement of MCS-18 in Toll-like receptor (TLR) signalling pathway was further considered.Materials and methods: Immunization of male CD1 mice was done with subcutaneous injection of TT emulsified in Freund’s Complete (FCA) or Incomplete Adjuvant (FIA) and mixed diversly with MCS-18 and different test substances. To investigate the influence of TLR activation Pam3Cys and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) emulsified in FIA were tested in combinations with MCS-18. Antibody production was analysed in vivo by tetanus-or diphtheria-toxin neutralization test.Results: Immunogenicity of TT was significantly enhanced if administered together with FCA or TLR agonists Pam3Cys or LPS emulsified in FIA. It was shown that MCS-18 attenuated strongly the production of anti-TT Ab if administered together with the Ab elicitor FCA or TLR agonists in various combinations. MCS-18 was also active via oral administration.Discussion: These findings suggest that MCS-18 could be a potent, non-toxic antagonist or a down-regulator of TLR signalling pathway. Investigations on further models are needed to establish if MCS-18 may influence particularly the production of RA-specific auto-antibodies, too

Comprehensive In Vitro Testing of Calcium Phosphate-Based Bioceramics with Orthopedic and Dentistry Applications

Recently, a large spectrum of biomaterials emerged, with emphasis on various pure, blended, or doped calcium phosphates (CaPs). Although basic cytocompatibility testing protocols are referred by International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 10993 (parts 1–22), rigorous in vitro testing using cutting-edge technologies should be carried out in order to fully understand the behavior of various biomaterials (whether in bulk or low-dimensional object form) and to better gauge their outcome when implanted. In this review, current molecular techniques are assessed for the in-depth characterization of angiogenic potential, osteogenic capability, and the modulation of oxidative stress and inflammation properties of CaPs and their cation- and/or anion-substituted derivatives. Using such techniques, mechanisms of action of these compounds can be deciphered, highlighting the signaling pathway activation, cross-talk, and modulation by microRNA expression, which in turn can safely pave the road toward a better filtering of the truly functional, application-ready innovative therapeutic bioceramic-based solutions

Prospective observational cohort study on grading the severity of postoperative complications in global surgery research

Background The Clavien–Dindo classification is perhaps the most widely used approach for reporting postoperative complications in clinical trials. This system classifies complication severity by the treatment provided. However, it is unclear whether the Clavien–Dindo system can be used internationally in studies across differing healthcare systems in high- (HICs) and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods This was a secondary analysis of the International Surgical Outcomes Study (ISOS), a prospective observational cohort study of elective surgery in adults. Data collection occurred over a 7-day period. Severity of complications was graded using Clavien–Dindo and the simpler ISOS grading (mild, moderate or severe, based on guided investigator judgement). Severity grading was compared using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Data are presented as frequencies and ICC values (with 95 per cent c.i.). The analysis was stratified by income status of the country, comparing HICs with LMICs. Results A total of 44 814 patients were recruited from 474 hospitals in 27 countries (19 HICs and 8 LMICs). Some 7508 patients (16·8 per cent) experienced at least one postoperative complication, equivalent to 11 664 complications in total. Using the ISOS classification, 5504 of 11 664 complications (47·2 per cent) were graded as mild, 4244 (36·4 per cent) as moderate and 1916 (16·4 per cent) as severe. Using Clavien–Dindo, 6781 of 11 664 complications (58·1 per cent) were graded as I or II, 1740 (14·9 per cent) as III, 2408 (20·6 per cent) as IV and 735 (6·3 per cent) as V. Agreement between classification systems was poor overall (ICC 0·41, 95 per cent c.i. 0·20 to 0·55), and in LMICs (ICC 0·23, 0·05 to 0·38) and HICs (ICC 0·46, 0·25 to 0·59). Conclusion Caution is recommended when using a treatment approach to grade complications in global surgery studies, as this may introduce bias unintentionally

The surgical safety checklist and patient outcomes after surgery: a prospective observational cohort study, systematic review and meta-analysis

© 2017 British Journal of Anaesthesia Background: The surgical safety checklist is widely used to improve the quality of perioperative care. However, clinicians continue to debate the clinical effectiveness of this tool. Methods: Prospective analysis of data from the International Surgical Outcomes Study (ISOS), an international observational study of elective in-patient surgery, accompanied by a systematic review and meta-analysis of published literature. The exposure was surgical safety checklist use. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality and the secondary outcome was postoperative complications. In the ISOS cohort, a multivariable multi-level generalized linear model was used to test associations. To further contextualise these findings, we included the results from the ISOS cohort in a meta-analysis. Results are reported as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals. Results: We included 44 814 patients from 497 hospitals in 27 countries in the ISOS analysis. There were 40 245 (89.8%) patients exposed to the checklist, whilst 7508 (16.8%) sustained ≥1 postoperative complications and 207 (0.5%) died before hospital discharge. Checklist exposure was associated with reduced mortality [odds ratio (OR) 0.49 (0.32–0.77); P\u3c0.01], but no difference in complication rates [OR 1.02 (0.88–1.19); P=0.75]. In a systematic review, we screened 3732 records and identified 11 eligible studies of 453 292 patients including the ISOS cohort. Checklist exposure was associated with both reduced postoperative mortality [OR 0.75 (0.62–0.92); P\u3c0.01; I2=87%] and reduced complication rates [OR 0.73 (0.61–0.88); P\u3c0.01; I2=89%). Conclusions: Patients exposed to a surgical safety checklist experience better postoperative outcomes, but this could simply reflect wider quality of care in hospitals where checklist use is routine

Critical care admission following elective surgery was not associated with survival benefit: prospective analysis of data from 27 countries

This was an investigator initiated study funded by Nestle Health Sciences through an unrestricted research grant, and by a National Institute for Health Research (UK) Professorship held by RP. The study was sponsored by Queen Mary University of London