In recent years, the number of emergencies, armed conflicts, and household injuries has increased, which has elevated the risk of thermal burns for a broad segment of the population. Design and testing of new, safe and efficient burn-healing drugs remains a relevant task. This study aimed to evaluate the burn — healing effects of a new cream containing polyprenols isolated from Ginkgo biloba L. in a rat thermal-burn model. The cream's active ingredient is a highly purified (≥ 95%) Ginkgo biloba L. polyprenols, and the excipients are lipids (phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine) with tocopherol antioxidants. The experimental animals were 32 male Wistar rats weighing 280–320 g. We evaluated the effect of the new polyprenol cream and the reference preparations methyluracil and dexpanthenol on the dynamics of the skin lesion area in rats with grade III-B skin burns. The experiment showed that, on day 21 after the burn, the new cream reduced the wound area in rats by 2.3 times compared with the controls. Morphological examination showed that the new cream had a 1.3-fold better burn-healing effect than the comparison drug methyluracil (dioxomethyltetrahydropyrimidine). Further preclinical study of the cream as a potential burn and wound healing agent seems promising.
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External genital endometriosis is characterized by high prevalence. Despite unquestionable role of oxidative stress in the development of endometriosis, its features associated with the disease progression are poorly understood. The study aimed to assess the role of oxidative protein modification (OPM) products in the disease progression. A total of 28 women with the established and histologically verified diagnosis of endometriosis took part in the study. The subjects were stratified into group 1 (stage II–III, n = 10) and group 2 (stage IV, n = 18) based on the disease stage in accordance with the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL) classification. The content of OPM products in the ectopic endometrium homogenate was determined by spectrophotometry. The following indicators were significantly higher in patients of group 2, than in patients of group 1: the total OPM product content (p = 0.040), basic aldehyde-dinitrophenylhydrazones (p = 0.039), and the total amount of ketone-dinitrophenylhydrazones (p = 0.024). Furthermore, women of group 2 showed significantly lower reserve-adaptative potential values, than patients of group 1 (p = 0.045). We found a positive correlation between the disease severity and the content of OPM products showing intergroup differences (R between 0.397 and 0.443, p < 0.05), along with the negative correlation with the reserve-adaptative potential (R = –0.388, p = 0.042) based on the correlation analysis results. According to the data obtained, the oxidative stress activity in endometriosis foci was correlated with the disease severity. Furthermore, accumulation of OPM products and depletion of the tissue adaptive capacity are typical.
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Reconstruction of peripheral nerves remains an urgent surgical problem. Autologous nerve grafting is the gold standard for bridging nerve defects, but it is limited by the shortage of donor material, which drives interest in biocompatible polymers for artificial conduits. The aim of this study was to evaluate biocompatibility in vitro and tissue response to subcutaneous in vivo implantation of perspective microstructured materials. The cytotoxicity of porous polycaprolactone (PCL), PCL–collagen composite, fibrous PCL, and nanofibrous polyamide was assessed on L929 fibroblasts. For in vivo testing, material samples were implanted into C57BL/6 mice, and histological analysis was performed after 14 days. In vitro porous PCL exhibited the highest viability and adhesion, while fibrous PCL showed the lowest. In vivo porous PCL and nanofibrous polyamide caused minimal inflammation, whereas PCL–collagen composite and fibrous PCL induced granulomatous inflammation, macrophage infiltration, and formation of fibrous capsule. The most biocompatible materials — porous PCL and nanofibrous polyamide — show promise for a biomimetic conduit with an outer barrier shell of porous PCL and an inner aligned scaffold of polyamide nanofibers.
VIEWS 102
The high variability of the influenza virus and the limited flexibility of inactivated vaccines result in a need to develop new, more effective preventive therapeutics. The RNA platform is among the most promising ones for developing new generation vaccines against respiratory infections. The study aimed to compare the immunogenicity of two experimental therapeutics based on classic mRNA and self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) encoding the hemagglutinin (HA) of the A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza virus. BALB/c mice were immunized twice with the RNA-based therapeutics at a dose of 2 µg at a 21-day interval. Humoral immune responses were assessed using the hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) assay. After the second immunization, the geometric mean titers of antibodies against the homologous strain A/Wisconsin/588/2019 were 1 : 2281 (CI: 1 : 1319 – 1 : 3943) for the mRNA vaccine and 1 : 640 (CI: 1 : 404 – 1 : 1014) for the saRNA vaccine. Titers against the antigenically distant strain A/Victoria/4897/2022 in the mRNA group and saRNA group reached 1 : 1810 (CI: 1 : 844 – 1 : 3882) and 1 : 452 (CI: 1 : 246 – 1 : 832), respectively. These antibody titer values were considerably higher than those in the group that received the Ultrix Quadri inactivated split vaccine, which did not exceed 1 : 56 (CI: 1 : 26 – 1 : 121). Despite the higher antibody titers in the HAI assay after immunization with the classic mRNA-based vaccine compared with the saRNA-based vaccine, the differences were not statistically significant. Thus, the mRNA- and saRNA-based vaccines induce a pronounced humoral immune response, confirming that these platforms are promising for the development of new generation vaccines.
VIEWS 196
Bioabsorbable Zn–Mg alloys are considered an alternative to metallic fixators, but data on their biocompatibility at low Mg content remain insufficient. Aim — to evaluate the biocompatibility of Zn–Mg alloys containing 0.5–2 wt.% Mg in vitro and in vivo. Cytotoxicity of Zn–0.5Mg and Zn–1Mg powders (0.15–2.5 mg/mL) was assessed in direct contact with SCP‑1 cells (MTT assay). In vivo, cylindrical implants of four compositions were placed bilaterally into the tibial metaphysis of rabbits (n = 4). Complete blood count was performed on day 7; computed tomography (CT) was performed at 3 and 10 months. At 2.5 mg/mL, cell viability was 12.5 ± 1.0 % (Zn–0.5Mg) and 16.8 ± 1.6% (Zn–1Mg). At 1.25 mg/mL, Zn–1Mg showed no toxicity (101.4 ± 3.3 %), whereas Zn–0.5Mg remained cytotoxic (51.3 ± 4.4 %). Recovery to > 80 % viability was observed at 0.62 mg/mL for Zn–0.5Mg and 0.31 mg/mL for Zn–1Mg. In vivo, all animals maintained normal activity; haematological parameters were within normal range. At 3 months, CT showed stable implants without signs of osteolysis. Cortical bone density was 647.3 ± 5.4 HU, trabecular bone density was 510.5 ± 6.4 HU, comparable to intact bone. At 10 months, implants remained visible. Zn–Mg alloys with 0.5–2 wt.% Mg exhibit dose‑dependent cytotoxicity in vitro and satisfactory biocompatibility in vivo without systemic inflammatory reactions or bone resorption over 10 months. The alloy with 1% Mg has a more favourable cell viability profile.
VIEWS 166
Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is a common and progressive complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD), often intensifying as patients reach dialysis. Although alfacalcidol and other active vitamin D analogs are often used, improper administration can raise the risk of hypercalcemia and hyperphosphatemia. This study aimed to assess, using clinical criteria indicated by guidelines, whether alfacalcidol should be prescribed to hemodialysis patients with SHPT. Records of 136 adult patients treated in An-Naseria hemodialysis units were reviewed and analyzed using SPSS (version 26). The appropriateness of prescribing alfacalcidol was evaluated in accordance with KDIGO 2017 guidelines, taking into account levels of phosphate, calcium, and parathyroid hormone (PTH). Patients were divided into groups based on whether their prescriptions were appropriate or possibly inappropriate. Patients were 55.1% male and had an average age of 51.42 ± 11.5years. The majority of patients exhibited biochemical values (phosphate: 79.4%, calcium: 74.3%, and PTH: 77.2% normal) within goal ranges. 72 patients (52.9%) were categorized as potentially inappropriate for alfacalcidol medication, whereas 64 patients (47%) were recognized as having appropriate indications based on criteria consistent with guidelines. The mean PTH levels of patients in the appropriate group were substantially higher (923.14 ± 379.59 pg/mL) than those in the inappropriate group (274.71 ± 179.69 pg/mL, р < 0.001). Age, sex, calcium, and phosphate levels did not significantly correlate with prescription appropriateness. This cohort may have a significant percentage of alfacalcidol prescriptions that may not follow current guidelines. The sensible use of vitamin D analogs in hemodialysis patients may be improved by better adherence to evidence-based guidelines and routine biochemical monitoring.
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