Absorption of radioiodine through the intact human skin

Koža na palmarnoj i dorsalnoj strani lijeve šake kod 29 odraslih osoba obadva pola je kontaminirana otopinom I-131. U toku 48 sati provjeravano je prodiranje joda kroz neoštećenu kožu na dva načina: kompariranjem relativne brzine opadanja radioaktiv nosti na mjestu aplikacije u odnosu na standard i praćenjem količine radiojoda izlučene kroz mokraću. Srednja vrijednost postotaka resorpcije radiojoda kroz košu u toku 48 sati iznosila je 3.4% (s. d.= 2.2), s tim da su srednje vrijednosti resorpcije kod žena bile veće nego kod muškaraca, a srednje vrijednosti resorpcije na dorsalnoj strani šake kod obadva pola i svih pojedinaca bile veće negoli na palmarnoj strani. Relativne količine radiojoda izlučenog kroz bubrege u odnosu na standarde su u cijelosti potvrdite spomenuta zapažanja.The skin on both palmar and dorsal side of the left hand of 29 adult volunteers of both sexes, aged 35 ± 5,5 years, was contaminated with 80-100 µc (I-131 fat the form of Nal) in the course of 48 hours. The technique of radionuclide application was similar to the patch technique used by Tas and Feige (4). Two mutually independent ways of measuring degree and speed of I-131 absorption through the skin were used: measurement of the rate of the reduction of the radioactivity applied, as compared with the standard and the measurement of the radioactivity excreted through the kidneys, again compared with the standard. To prevent the resorption of I-131 in the thyroid, the patients were given 1000 mg sodium-perchlorate daily. Mean values of percentages of cutaneous I-131 absorption in our experiments were 3.4 ± 2,2 for both sexes and both applications, Mean values of absorption for women were in both applications higher than for men as shown in Table 1. Mean values of dorsal absorption were for both sexes higher than those of palmar contamination. Relative quantities of radioiodine excreted through the kidneys, expressed as promille of the standard Followed the above mentioned rates, giving an average 9.2 percent excretion rate of the absorbed radioactivity (Table 2)

Corrigendum to "European contribution to the study of ROS:A summary of the findings and prospects for the future from the COST action BM1203 (EU-ROS)" [Redox Biol. 13 (2017) 94-162]

The European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) provides an ideal framework to establish multi-disciplinary research networks. COST Action BM1203 (EU-ROS) represents a consortium of researchers from different disciplines who are dedicated to providing new insights and tools for better understanding redox biology and medicine and, in the long run, to finding new therapeutic strategies to target dysregulated redox processes in various diseases. This report highlights the major achievements of EU-ROS as well as research updates and new perspectives arising from its members. The EU-ROS consortium comprised more than 140 active members who worked together for four years on the topics briefly described below. The formation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) is an established hallmark of our aerobic environment and metabolism but RONS also act as messengers via redox regulation of essential cellular processes. The fact that many diseases have been found to be associated with oxidative stress established the theory of oxidative stress as a trigger of diseases that can be corrected by antioxidant therapy. However, while experimental studies support this thesis, clinical studies still generate controversial results, due to complex pathophysiology of oxidative stress in humans. For future improvement of antioxidant therapy and better understanding of redox-associated disease progression detailed knowledge on the sources and targets of RONS formation and discrimination of their detrimental or beneficial roles is required. In order to advance this important area of biology and medicine, highly synergistic approaches combining a variety of diverse and contrasting disciplines are needed

Following the Balkan Migration Route: Informal Spatial Practices Created by "People on the Move"

Informal migrations from the Middle East and North Africa to Europe since 2015 and their social, economic, and political implications have attracted the attention of the general public and policymakers, but have also been the focus of research in numerous social and urban studies. As a region in the transitional phase, and officially in the process of EU accession, the Western Balkan countries offer a special perspective. In that sense, Serbia, as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), play important roles as countries that border the EU, and therefore suitable ground for the analysis of the practices of setting boundaries, actual state of porosity of boundaries set, both symbolic and physically at the local and global level. An increasing number of migrants has developed various informal spatial practices, as well as initiated changes in public spaces. The new dynamics emphasize these spaces' characteristics as those of public and collective participation, as well as of potential conflicts, and permanent transformation processes. On the one hand, massive migration flows have triggered increased nationalism, xenophobia, and fear, but have also increased civic engagement and led to new solidarities, not only ‘from above', but also ‘from bellow'. This article examines public spaces beyond a neoliberal discourse by highlighting their function as meeting points, offering possibilities for dialog between ‘privileged' and ‘unprivileged' population

Sellar angiolipomas: two case reports and a review of the literature

Angiolipomas are mesenchymal hamartomas composed of abnormal blood vessels and mature adipose tissue, most commonly found in the subcutaneous tissue of the extremities. Intracranial location is extremely rare, and only five cases have been described in the sellar region. We report on two patients that were initially diagnosed with pituitary adenomas that were postoperatively verified as angiolipomas. Sellar angiolipomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pituitary lesions due to the potential catastrophic bleeding during surgery. Preoperative diagnosis is very difficult; however, some MRI characteristics can help make an accurate diagnosis. Adequate MRI sequences should be used in the evaluation of pituitary lesions, as they can help optimize the microsurgical management

Investigating the use of curcumin-loaded electrospun filaments for soft tissue repair applications

Pierre-Alexis Mouthuy,1,2 Maja Somogyi Škoc,3 Ana Čipak Gašparović,1 Lidija Milković,1 Andrew J Carr,2 Neven Žarković1 1Laboratory for Oxidative Stress, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Zagreb, Croatia; 2Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Medical Science Division, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; 3Department of Materials, Fibres and Textile Testing, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia Abstract: Electrospun filaments represent a new generation of medical textiles with promising applications in soft tissue repair. A potential strategy to improve their design is to combine them with bioactive molecules. Curcumin, a natural compound found in turmeric, is particularly attractive for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. However, investigating the range of relevant doses of curcumin in materials designed for tissue regeneration has remained limited. In this paper, a wide range of curcumin concentrations was explored and the potential of the resulting materials for soft tissue repair applications was assessed. Polydioxanone (PDO) filaments were prepared with various amounts of curcumin: 0%, 0.001%, 0.01%, 0.1%, 1%, and 10% (weight to weight ratio). The results from the present study showed that, at low doses (≤0.1%), the addition of curcumin has no influence on the spinning process or on the physicochemical properties of the filaments, whereas higher doses lead to smaller fiber diameters and improved mechanical properties. Moreover, filaments with 0.001% and 0.01% curcumin stimulate the metabolic activity and proliferation of normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs) compared with the no-filament control. However, this stimulation is not significant when compared to the control filaments (0%). Highly dosed filaments induce either the inhibition of proliferation (with 1%) or cell apoptosis (with 10%) as a result of the concentrations of curcumin found in the medium (9 and 32 µM, respectively), which are near or above the known toxicity threshold of curcumin (~10 µM). Moreover, filaments with 10% curcumin increase the catalase activity and glutathione content in NHDFs, indicating an increased production of reactive oxygen species resulting from the large concentration of curcumin. Overall, this study suggested that PDO electrospun filaments loaded with low amounts of curcumin are more promising compared with higher concentrations for stimulating tissue repair. This study also highlighted the need to explore lower concentrations when using polymers as PDO, such as those with polycaprolactone and other degradable polyesters. Keywords: electrospinning, electrospun filaments, polydioxanone, PDO, curcumin, human fibroblast

Biocompatibility of implantable materials: An oxidative stress viewpoint

Oxidative stress occurs when the production of oxidants surpasses the antioxidant capacity in living cells. Oxidative stress is implicated in a number of pathological conditions such as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases but it also has crucial roles in the regulation of cellular activities. Over the last few decades, many studies have identified significant connections between oxidative stress, inflammation and healing. In particular, increasing evidence indicates that the production of oxidants and the cellular response to oxidative stress are intricately connected to the fate of implanted biomaterials. This review article provides an overview of the major mechanisms underlying the link between oxidative stress and the biocompatibility of biomaterials. ROS, RNS and lipid peroxidation products act as chemo-attractants, signalling molecules and agents of degradation during the inflammation and healing phases. As chemo-attractants and signalling molecules, they contribute to the recruitment and activation of inflammatory and healing cells, which in turn produce more oxidants. As agents of degradation, they contribute to the maturation of the extracellular matrix at the healing site and to the degradation of the implanted material. Oxidative stress is itself influenced by the material properties, such as by their composition, their surface properties and their degradation products. Because both cells and materials produce and react with oxidants, oxidative stress may be the most direct route mediating the communication between cells and materials. Improved understanding of the oxidative stress mechanisms following biomaterial implantation may therefore help the development of new biomaterials with enhanced biocompatibility

Investigating the use of curcumin-loaded electrospun filaments for soft tissue repair applications

Electrospun filaments represent a new generation of medical textiles with promising applications in soft tissue repair. A potential strategy to improve their design is to combine them with bioactive molecules. Curcumin, a natural compound found in turmeric, is particularly attractive for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. However, investigating the range of relevant doses of curcumin in materials designed for tissue regeneration has remained limited. In this paper, we explore a wide range of curcumin concentrations and assess the potential of the resulting materials for soft tissue repair applications. Polydioxanone (PDO) filaments were prepared with various amounts of curcumin: 0%, 0.001%, 0.01%, 0.1%, 1% and 10% (w/w ratio). Our results show that, at low doses (≤ 0.1%), the addition of curcumin has no influence on the spinning process or on the physicochemical properties of the filaments, while higher doses lead to smaller fibre diameters and improved mechanical properties. Moreover, filaments with 0.001% and 0.01% curcumin stimulate the metabolic activity and proliferation of normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs) compared to the no-filament control. However, this stimulation is not significant when compared to the control filaments (0%). Highly dosed filaments induce either inhibition of proliferation (with 1%) or cell apoptosis (with 10%) as a result of the concentrations of curcumin found in the medium (9 µM and 32 µM, respectively), which are near or above the known toxicity threshold of curcumin (around 10 µM). Moreover, filaments with 10% curcumin increase the catalase activity and GSH content in NHFDs, indicating an increased production of ROS resulting from the large concentration of curcumin. Overall, this study suggests that PDO electrospun filaments loaded with low amounts of curcumin are more promising than higher concentrations for stimulating tissue repair. It also highlights the need to explore lower concentrations when using polymers similar to PDO, such as with polycaprolactone and other degradable polyesters

Investigating the use of curcumin-loaded electrospun filaments for soft tissue repair applications

Electrospun filaments represent a new generation of medical textiles with promising applications in soft tissue repair. A potential strategy to improve their design is to combine them with bioactive molecules. Curcumin, a natural compound found in turmeric, is particularly attractive for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. However, investigating the range of relevant doses of curcumin in materials designed for tissue regeneration has remained limited. In this paper, we explore a wide range of curcumin concentrations and assess the potential of the resulting materials for soft tissue repair applications. Polydioxanone (PDO) filaments were prepared with various amounts of curcumin: 0%, 0.001%, 0.01%, 0.1%, 1% and 10% (w/w ratio). Our results show that, at low doses (≤ 0.1%), the addition of curcumin has no influence on the spinning process or on the physicochemical properties of the filaments, while higher doses lead to smaller fibre diameters and improved mechanical properties. Moreover, filaments with 0.001% and 0.01% curcumin stimulate the metabolic activity and proliferation of normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs) compared to the no-filament control. However, this stimulation is not significant when compared to the control filaments (0%). Highly dosed filaments induce either inhibition of proliferation (with 1%) or cell apoptosis (with 10%) as a result of the concentrations of curcumin found in the medium (9 µM and 32 µM, respectively), which are near or above the known toxicity threshold of curcumin (around 10 µM). Moreover, filaments with 10% curcumin increase the catalase activity and GSH content in NHFDs, indicating an increased production of ROS resulting from the large concentration of curcumin. Overall, this study suggests that PDO electrospun filaments loaded with low amounts of curcumin are more promising than higher concentrations for stimulating tissue repair. It also highlights the need to explore lower concentrations when using polymers similar to PDO, such as with polycaprolactone and other degradable polyesters