Synthesis and characterization of different nano-hydroxyapatites and their impact on dental enamel following topical application for dental bleaching.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to synthesize, characterize, and assess the penetration of hydrogen peroxide (HP), color change (CC), and surface morphology changes after the application of two distinct nano-hydroxyapatite (nano-HAp). METHODS: Two nano-HAp were previously synthesized by co-precipitation: one with rod-shaped particles (RS) and the other with spherical-shaped particles (SS). The surface charge of the nano-HAp particles was determined at varying pH levels and characterized by X-ray diffraction patterns and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The morphology of the samples was assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The nano-HAp particles were applied before the dental bleaching procedure. Forty teeth were divided into four groups (n = 10) according to the bleaching treatment: no treatment, bleaching with 35 % HP only, RS application and bleaching with 35 % HP, and SS application and bleaching with 35 % HP. HP concentration (µg mL-1) was measured using UV-Vis, while CC was evaluated with a digital spectrophotometer (ΔEab, ΔE00 and WID). Additionally, four teeth from each group were selected for SEM analysis. Statistical analysis encompassed one-way ANOVA, Tukey's, and Dunnet's tests. RESULTS: RS and SS were successfully synthesized by coprecipitation, primarily differing in pH during synthesis. Both variations of nano-HAp morphology significantly reduced HP diffusion into the pulp chamber (p < 0.001). Regarding enamel morphology, groups analyzed post dental bleaching exhibited greater HAp deposition on the enamel surface. Notably, this deposition did not impede CC. SIGNIFICANCE: The utilization of different nano-HAp morphologies prior to dental bleaching appears to be a promising strategy for mitigating adverse effects associated with dental bleaching procedures.

Human platelet lysate supports SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell proliferation and differentiation into a dopaminergic-like neuronal phenotype under xenogeneic-free culture conditions.

SH-SY5Y is a human neuroblastoma cell line that can be differentiated into several neuronal phenotypes, depending on culture conditions. For this reason, this cell line has been widely used as an in vitro model of neurodegenerative conditions, such as Parkinson's disease (PD). However, most studies published to date used fetal bovine serum (FBS) as culture medium supplement for SH-SY5Y cell differentiation. We report on the testing of human platelet lysate (hPL) as a culture medium supplement to support SH-SY5Y cell culture. Both standard hPL and a fibrinogen-depleted hPL (FD-hPL) formulation, which does not require the addition of anticoagulants to culture media, promoted an increase in SH-SY5Y cell proliferation in comparison to FBS, without compromising metabolic activity. SH-SY5Y cells cultured in hPL or FD-hPL also displayed a higher number of neurite extensions and stained positive for MAP2 and synaptophysin, in the absence of differentiation stimuli; reducing hPL or FD-hPL concentration to 1% v/v did not affect cell proliferation or metabolic activity. Furthermore, following treatment with retinoic acid (RA) and further stimulation with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor beta (NGF-ß), the percentage of SH-SY5Y cells stained positive for dopaminergic neuronal differentiation markers (tyrosine hydroxylase [TH] and Dopamine Transporter [DAT]) was higher in hPL or FD-hPL than in FBS, and gene expression of dopaminergic markers TH, DAT, and DR2 was also detected. Overall, the data herein presented supports the use of hPL to differentiate SH-SY5Y cells into a neuronal phenotype with dopaminergic features, and the adoption of FD-hPL as a fully xenogeneic free alternative to FBS to support the use of SH-SY5Y cells as a neurodegeneration model.

Tick-Borne pathogens and defensin genes expression: A closer look at Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus.

The immune system of ticks, along with that of other invertebrates, is comparatively simpler than that of vertebrates, relying solely on innate immune responses. Direct antimicrobial defence is provided by the synthesis of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), including defensins. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in defensin genes expression between questing and engorged Ixodes ricinus (def1 and def2) and Dermacentor reticulatus (defDr) ticks, in the presence of selected pathogens: Borrelia spp., Rickettsia spp., Babesia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Neoehrlichia mikurensis in the natural environment. After pathogen screening by PCR/qPCR, the expression of defensin genes in pathogen positive ticks and ticks without any of the tested pathogens, was analysed by reverse transcription qPCR. The results showed an increased expression of defensin genes in I. ricinus ticks after blood feeding and I. ricinus and D. reticulatus ticks during in cases of co-infection. In particular, the expression of defensins genes was higher in questing D. reticulatus than in questing and engorged I. ricinus ticks, when borreliae were detected. This study contributes to uncovering the expression patterns of defensin genes in the presence of several known tick pathogens, the occurrence of these pathogens and possible regulatory mechanisms of defensins in tick vector competence.

Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens Circulating in Peri-Domestic Areas in Mainland Portugal.

Over the years, tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) have garnered significant interest due to their medical, veterinary and economic importance. Additionally, TBPs have drawn attention to how these microorganisms interact with their own vectors, increasing the risk to human and animal infection of emerging and reemerging zoonoses. In this sense, ticks, which are obligate hematophagous ectoparasites, have a key role in maintaining and transmitting TBPs among humans and animals. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of neglected TBPs in mainland Portugal, namely Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp., Ehrlichia spp. and Neoehrlichia mikurensis. DNA fragments were detected in questing ticks collected from five different ecological areas under investigation. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study reports new worldwide findings, including B. bigemina infecting Ixodes frontalis, Ixodes ricinus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. Additionally, it presents new findings in Portugal of N. mikurensis infecting I. ricinus and of presumably Wolbachia endosymbionts being detected in I. ricinus. Overall, there were 208 tick samples that were negative for all screened TBPs. The results herein obtained raise concerns about the circulation of neglected TBPs in mainland Portugal, especially in anthropophilic ticks, highlighting the importance of adopting a One Health perspective.

Secretome of bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells cultured in a dynamic system induces neuroprotection and modulates microglial responsiveness in an α-synuclein overexpression rat model.

BACKGROUND AIMS: Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder. The etiology of the disease remains largely unknown, but evidence have suggested that the overexpression and aggregation of alpha-synuclein (α-syn) play key roles in the pathogenesis and progression of PD. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been earning attention in this field, mainly due to their paracrine capacity. The bioactive molecules secreted by MSCs, i.e. their secretome, have been associated with enhanced neuronal survival as well as a strong modulatory capacity of the microenvironments where the disease develops. The selection of the appropriate animal model is crucial in studies of efficacy assessment. Given the involvement of α-syn in the pathogenesis of PD, the evidence generated from the use of animal models that develop a pathologic phenotype due to the action of this protein is extremely valuable. Therefore, in this work, we established an animal model based on the viral vector-mediated overexpression of A53T α-syn and studied the impact of the secretome of bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells MSC(M) as a therapeutic strategy. METHODS: Adult male rats were subjected to α-syn over expression in the nigrostriatal pathway to model dopaminergic neurodegeneration. The impact of locally administered secretome treatment from MSC(M) was studied. Motor impairments were assessed throughout the study coupled with whole-region (striatum and substantia nigra) confocal microscopy evaluation of histopathological changes associated with dopaminergic neurodegeneration and glial cell reactivity. RESULTS: Ten weeks after lesion induction, the animals received secretome injections in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and striatum (STR). The secretome used was produced from bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells MSC(M) expanded in a spinner flask (SP) system. Nine weeks later, animals that received the viral vector containing the gene for A53T α-syn and treated with vehicle (Neurobasal-A medium) presented dopaminergic cell loss in the SNpc and denervation in the STR. The treatment with secretome significantly reduced the levels of α-syn in the SNpc and protected the dopaminergic neurons (DAn) within the SNpc and STR. CONCLUSIONS: Our results are aligned with previous studies in both α-syn Caenorhabditis elegans models, as well as 6-OHDA rodent model, revealing that secretome exerted a neuroprotective effect. Moreover, these effects were associated with a modulation of microglial reactivity supporting an immunomodulatory role for the factors contained within the secretome. This further supports the development of new studies exploring the effects and the mechanism of action of secretome from MSC(M) against α-syn-induced neurotoxicity.

A small proportion of Zebu genetic background in crossbred calves may not be enough to improve resistance against natural bovine Babesia spp. infections.

The main objective of cattle breeders in tropical and subtropical regions is to acquire animals with taurine-productive traits adapted to the broad weather range of these regions. However, one of the main challenges on using taurine genetics in these areas is the high susceptibility of these animals to tick-borne diseases. Consequently, the present study evaluated from 10 November 2021-19 April 2022, the over 13 assessments, the Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina DNA loads and the IgG anti-B. bovis and anti-B. bigemina levels in Angus (n = 17, 100% Taurine) and Ultrablack (n = 14, ∼82% taurine and 18% Zebu) calves. Data were analyzed using a multivariate mixed model with repeated measures of the same animal including the fixed effects of evaluation, genetic group, sex, Babesia spp., and their interactions. The repeatability values were estimated from the (co)variances matrix and expressed for each species. The correlations between the DNA loads (CNlog) and IgG titers (S/P) values for the two species were also estimated using the same model. Regarding the specific IgG antibody titers for both Babesia spp., no significant differences were observed between the two genetic groups. However, for B. bovis and B. bigemina DNA loads, Ultrablack calves presented significantly higher values than Angus calves. Under the conditions evaluated in this study, our findings suggest that the low percentage of Zebu genetic in the Ultrablack breed was insufficient to improve resistance against babesiosis. Further studies must demonstrate if the low percentages of Zebu genetics in Taurine breeds can modify the susceptibility to babesiosis infections.

Extended half-life recombinant factor VIII treatment of hemophilia A in Brazil: an expert consensus statement

Introduction Treatment of hemophilia A in Brazil is offered to all patients at no cost. However, several unmet medical needs exist. Method In this study, we applied the Delphi method to discuss with seven hemophilia A specialists the challenges that patients and the health system face regarding hemophilia A treatment and opportunities for improvement. Results A consensus was obtained regarding the number of weekly infusions and patient adherence to treatment. The bleeding profile, unfavourable pharmacokinetics (PKs), low adherence and high daily activity were patient profiles that would benefit from using the extended half-life (EHL) recombinant factor VIII (rFVIII). The advantages of treatment with the EHL rFVIII were the lower number of infusions per week, which could increase patient adherence and decrease the risk of bleeds, due to a more constant plasma level, a lower value. Additionally, the EHL rFVIII could improve quality of life, especially in patients with high daily activity, such as adolescents and young adults. The panelists mentioned that EHL rFVIII, if available, could be offered first to the priority group (adolescents between 12 and 19 years old), followed by adults (20 to 64 years old) and elderly people (over 65 years old). Conclusion In summary, the EHL rFVIII offers the optimal prophylaxis by decreasing the dose frequency, increasing the treatment adherence and improving the QoL, without compromising safety and efficacy.

In vitro neuronal and glial response to magnetically stimulated piezoelectric poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV)/cobalt ferrite (CFO) microspheres.

Polymer biomaterials are being considered for tissue regeneration due to the possibility of resembling different extracellular matrix characteristics. However, most current scaffolds cannot respond to physical-chemical modifications of the cell microenvironment. Stimuli-responsive materials, such as electroactive smart polymers, are increasingly gaining attention once they can produce electrical potentials without external power supplies. The presence of piezoelectricity in human tissues like cartilage and bone highlights the importance of electrical stimulation in physiological conditions. Although poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) is one of the piezoelectric polymers with the highest piezoelectric response, it is not biodegradable. Poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) is a promising copolymer of poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) for tissue engineering and regeneration applications. It offers biodegradability, piezoelectric properties, biocompatibility, and bioactivity, making it a superior option to PVDF for biomedical purposes requiring biodegradability. Magnetoelectric polymer composites can be made by combining magnetostrictive particles and piezoelectric polymers to further tune their properties for tissue regeneration. These composites convert magnetic stimuli into electrical stimuli, generating local electrical potentials for various applications. Cobalt ferrites (CFO) and piezoelectric polymers have been combined and processed into different morphologies, maintaining biocompatibility for tissue engineering. The present work studied how PHBV/CFO microspheres affected neural and glial response in spinal cord cultures. It is expected that the electrical signals generated by these microspheres due to their magnetoelectric nature could aid in tissue regeneration and repair. PHBV/CFO microspheres were not cytotoxic and were able to impact neurite outgrowth and promote neuronal differentiation. Furthermore, PHBV/CFO microspheres led to microglia activation and induced the release of several bioactive molecules. Importantly, magnetically stimulated microspheres ameliorated cell viability after an in vitro ROS-induced lesion of spinal cord cultures, which suggests a beneficial effect on tissue regeneration and repair.

Predicting attachment in Portuguese infants born very or extremely preterm: Understanding the roles of infant regulatory behavior, maternal sensitivity, and risk factors.

A growing body of research shows that early attachment relationships are foundational for children's later developmental and psychosocial outcomes. However, findings are mixed regarding whether preterm birth predicts later attachment, but insecurity is generally more prevalent among infants at higher medical and/or social/familial risk. This longitudinal study aimed to identify specific relational, familial/demographic, and perinatal predictors of attachment in a sample of 63 Portuguese infants born very or extremely preterm (VEPT, <32 gestational weeks) and their mothers from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. One-third of the mothers had social/family risk factors (e.g., single parent, immigrant, unemployed, low education, and/or low income). At 3 months (corrected age), dyads were observed during social interaction in the Face-to-Face Still-Face paradigm (FFSF) and during free play. At 12 months, mother-infant dyads were observed in Ainsworth's Strange Situation. Over half (58.7%) of the infants were classified as insecurely attached. Social-Positive Oriented regulatory behavior pattern, higher maternal sensitivity, higher infant cooperation during free play, number of siblings and an absence of social/family risk factors were associated with attachment security. Perinatal variables were unrelated to attachment. Findings indicate that both relational and social contextual factors contribute to attachment in this biologically vulnerable sample.

Un creciente cuerpo investigativo muestra que las relaciones afectivas tempranas son fundamentales para posteriores resultados de desarrollo y sicosociales de los niños. Sin embargo, los resultados son variados acerca de si el nacimiento prematuro predice la afectividad posterior, pero la inseguridad es generalmente más prevalente entre infantes bajo más alto riesgo médico y/o social/familiar. Este estudio longitudinal se propuso identificar factores específicos de predicción de la afectividad, relacionales, familiar/demográficos y perinatales en un grupo muestra de 63 infantes portugueses nacidos muy o extremadamente prematuros (VEPT, < 32 semanas gestacionales) y sus madres de diversos niveles socioeconómicos. Un tercio de las madres tenían factores de riesgo social/familiar (v.g. madre soltera, inmigrante, desempleada, de baja educación y/o de bajos recursos económicos). A los tres meses (edad corregida), se les observó a las díadas durante la interacción social en el paradigma de Cara a Cara y Rostro Inmutable (FFSF) y durante el juego libre. A los 12 meses, se les observó a las díadas madre-infante por medio de la Situación Extraña de Ainsworth. Se clasificó más de la mitad (58.7%) de los infantes como afectivamente inseguros. Entre los factores de predicción de la afectividad segura se incluyó un patrón de conducta regulatoria con orientación social positiva durante FFSF, una sensibilidad materna más alta y la cooperación del infante durante el juego libre, así como la ausencia de factores de riesgo sociales/familiares. Las variables perinatales no estuvieron relacionadas con la afectividad. Los resultados indican que los factores contextuales, tanto relacionales como sociales contribuyen a la afectividad en este grupo biológicamente vulnerable.

Differential Gene Expression of Malaria Parasite in Response to Red Blood Cell-Specific Glycolytic Intermediate 2,3-Diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG).

Innovative strategies to control malaria are urgently needed. Exploring the interplay between Plasmodium sp. parasites and host red blood cells (RBCs) offers opportunities for novel antimalarial interventions. Pyruvate kinase deficiency (PKD), characterized by heightened 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) concentration, has been associated with protection against malaria. Elevated levels of 2,3-DPG, a specific mammalian metabolite, may hinder glycolysis, prompting us to hypothesize its potential contribution to PKD-mediated protection. We investigated the impact of the extracellular supplementation of 2,3-DPG on the Plasmodium falciparum intraerythrocytic developmental cycle in vitro. The results showed an inhibition of parasite growth, resulting from significantly fewer progeny from 2,3-DPG-treated parasites. We analyzed differential gene expression and the transcriptomic profile of P. falciparum trophozoites, from in vitro cultures subjected or not subjected to the action of 2,3-DPG, using Nanopore Sequencing Technology. The presence of 2,3-DPG in the culture medium was associated with the significant differential expression of 71 genes, mostly associated with the GO terms nucleic acid binding, transcription or monoatomic anion channel. Further, several genes related to cell cycle control were downregulated in treated parasites. These findings suggest that the presence of this RBC-specific glycolytic metabolite impacts the expression of genes transcribed during the parasite trophozoite stage and the number of merozoites released from individual schizonts, which supports the potential role of 2,3-DPG in the mechanism of protection against malaria by PKD.

Efficacy of the Vaccine Candidate Based on the P0 Peptide against Dermacentor nitens and Ixodes ricinus Ticks.

The control of ticks through vaccination offers a sustainable alternative to the use of chemicals that cause contamination and the selection of resistant tick strains. However, only a limited number of anti-tick vaccines have reached commercial realization. In this sense, an antigen effective against different tick species is a desirable target for developing such vaccines. A peptide derived from the tick P0 protein (pP0) conjugated to a carrier protein has been demonstrated to be effective against the Rhipicephalus microplus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, and Amblyomma mixtum tick species. The aim of this work was to assess the efficacy of this peptide when conjugated to the Bm86 protein against Dermacentor nitens and Ixodes ricinus ticks. An RNAi experiment using P0 dsRNA from I. ricinus showed a dramatic reduction in the feeding of injected female ticks on guinea pigs. In the follow-up vaccination experiments, rabbits were immunized with the pP0-Bm86 conjugate and challenged simultaneously with larvae, nymphs, and the adults of I. ricinus ticks. In the same way, horses were immunized with the pP0-Bm86 conjugate and challenged with D. nitens larva. The pP0-Bm86 conjugate showed efficacies of 63% and 55% against I. ricinus and D. nitens ticks, respectively. These results, combined with previous reports of efficacy for this conjugate, show the promising potential for its development as a broad-spectrum anti-tick vaccine.

Treating Parkinson's Disease with Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell Secretome: A Translational Investigation Using Human Brain Organoids and Different Routes of In Vivo Administration.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most common movement disorder, characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons from the nigrostriatal system. Currently, there is no treatment that retards disease progression or reverses damage prior to the time of clinical diagnosis. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are one of the most extensively studied cell sources for regenerative medicine applications, particularly due to the release of soluble factors and vesicles, known as secretome. The main goal of this work was to address the therapeutic potential of the secretome collected from bone-marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) using different models of the disease. Firstly, we took advantage of an optimized human midbrain-specific organoid system to model PD in vitro using a neurotoxin-induced model through 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) exposure. In vivo, we evaluated the effects of BM-MSC secretome comparing two different routes of secretome administration: intracerebral injections (a two-site single administration) against multiple systemic administration. The secretome of BM-MSCs was able to protect from dopaminergic neuronal loss, these effects being more evident in vivo. The BM-MSC secretome led to motor function recovery and dopaminergic loss protection; however, multiple systemic administrations resulted in larger therapeutic effects, making this result extremely relevant for potential future clinical applications.

Antibiotic Consumption, Illness, and Maternal Sensitivity in Infants with a Disorganized Attachment.

Prior research found an association between mother-infant attachment and antibiotic use. Ambivalent-attached infants are more likely to take antibiotics than other infants, and their mothers tend to be less sensitive to their needs than most. This finding is important because it shows the association between psychological processes, early relationships, and health outcomes. We aim to learn about children with high-risk attachment relationships, such as disorganized-attached infants. This study compares antibiotic use, infant-mother interactive behavior, and health indicators according to infant attachment patterns (including disorganized attachment). For this purpose, we observed mothers-infants' interactive behavior in free play at nine months and infants' attachment in the Ainsworth Strange Situation at twelve months. Participants included 77 girls and 104 boys (full-term and preterm) and their mothers. Paradoxically, mothers of disorganized-attached infants reported that their children were ill only 1.56 times on average, but 61% of their children used antibiotics in the first nine months. The other mothers reported that their children were sick 5.73 times on average, but only 54% of their children used antibiotics in the same period. Infants with disorganized attachment had mothers who were more literate and less sensitive. These results add to a body of research that shows that early high-risk relationships affect children's lives at multiple levels.

Cross-modal coherence and incoherence of early infant interactive behavior: links to attachment in infants born very preterm or full-term.

Infants exhibit flexibly organized configurations of facial, vocal, affective, and motor behavior during caregiver-infant interactions that convey convergent messages about their internal states and desires. Prior work documents that greater cross-modal discrepancy at 4 months predicts disorganized attachment. Here, we evaluated whether: very preterm (VPT) or full-term (FT) status predicts cross-modal coherence or incoherence in infants' behavior with the caregiver at 3 months; and, regardless of prematurity, whether cross-modal interactive coherence or incoherence predicts 12-month attachment. Participants included 155 infants (85 FT; 70 VPT), and their mothers followed from birth to 12 months (corrected age). Infants' cross-modal coherent and incoherent responses were scored microanalytically from videotaped en-face interactions. Infants' attachment security was evaluated during Ainsworth's Strange Situation. Infants born VPT exhibited more incoherent cross-modal responses and insecure attachment than infants born FT. Regardless of prematurity, infants' coherent and incoherent cross-modal interactive behaviors at 3 months predicted different attachment patterns at 12 months.

Drivers of Insect Community Change along the Margins of Mountain Streams in Serra da Estrela Natural Park (Portugal).

Mountain ecosystems are important biodiversity hotspots and valuable natural laboratories to study community assembly processes. Here, we analyze the diversity patterns of butterflies and odonates in a mountainous area of high conservation value-Serra da Estrela Natural Park (Portugal)-and we assess the drivers of community change for each of the two insect groups. The butterflies and odonates were sampled along 150 m transects near the margins of three mountain streams, at three elevation levels (500, 1000, and 1500 m). We found no significant differences in odonate species richness between elevations, but marginal differences (p = 0.058) were found for butterflies due to the lower number of species at high altitudes. Both insect groups showed significant differences in beta diversity (ßtotal) between elevations, with species richness differences being the most important component for odonates (ßrich = 55.2%), while species replacement drove the changes between butterfly assemblages (ßrepl = 60.3%). Climatic factors, particularly those depicting harsher conditions of temperature and precipitation, were the best predictors of total beta diversity (ßtotal) and its components (ßrich, ßrepl) for the two study groups. The study of insect biodiversity patterns in mountain ecosystems and of the role played by different predictors contribute to further our understanding on the community assembly processes and may help to better predict environmental change impacts on mountain biodiversity.

Tick Vaccines and Concealed versus Exposed Antigens.

Anti-tick vaccines development mainly depends on the identification of suitable antigens, which ideally should have different features. These should be key molecules in tick biology, encoded by a single gene, expressed across life stages and tick tissues, capable of inducing B and T cells to promote an immunological response without allergenic, hemolytic, and toxic effects; and should not be homologous to the mammalian host. The discussion regarding this subject and the usefulness of "exposed" and "concealed" antigens was effectively explored in the publication by Nuttall et al. (2006). The present commentary intends to debate the relevance of such study in the field of tick immunological control.

Sustained Release of Human Adipose Tissue Stem Cell Secretome from Star-Shaped Poly(ethylene glycol) Glycosaminoglycan Hydrogels Promotes Motor Improvements after Complete Transection in Spinal Cord Injury Rat Model.

Adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) have been shown to assist regenerative processes after spinal cord injury (SCI) through their secretome, which promotes several regenerative mechanisms, such as inducing axonal growth, reducing inflammation, promoting cell survival, and vascular remodeling, thus ultimately leading to functional recovery. However, while systemic delivery (e.g., i.v. [intravenous]) may cause off-target effects in different organs, the local administration has low efficiency due to fast clearance by body fluids. Herein, a delivery system for human ASCs secretome based on a hydrogel formed of star-shaped poly(ethylene glycol) (starPEG) and the glycosaminoglycan heparin (Hep) that is suitable to continuously release pro-regenerative signaling mediators such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, glial-cell neurotrophic factor, and beta-nerve growth factor over 10 days, is reported. The released secretome is shown to induce differentiation of human neural progenitor cells and neurite outgrowth in organotypic spinal cord slices. In a complete transection SCI rat model, the secretome-loaded hydrogel significantly improves motor function by reducing the percentage of ameboid microglia and systemically elevates levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Delivery of ASC-derived secretome from starPEG-Hep hydrogels may therefore offer unprecedented options for regenerative therapy of SCI.

The Association between Prematurity, Antibiotic Consumption, and Mother-Infant Attachment in the First Year of Life.

Antibiotics have individual and public-health drawbacks. Nevertheless, mother-infant attachment quality and maternal sensitivity are associated with antibiotic use. Ambivalent-attached infants are more likely to consume antibiotics than other infants. Conceivably, the emotional over-externalization of ambivalent-attached infants and maternal anxiety when infants are ill raise concerns in healthcare professionals, leading to antibiotic over-prescriptions. However, because infants prematurely born, particularly those with less than 32 weeks of gestation, are under more accurate health vigilance, the impact of infant and maternal behavior on antibiotic prescription may vanish in this sample. To test this hypothesis, we performed a longitudinal study to compare antibiotic use and the quality of mother-infant attachment in three groups: 86 infants born at full-term, 44 moderate-to-late preterm infants (32-36 gestation weeks), and 58 very-to-extreme preterm infants (<32 gestation weeks). Infants' attachment was observed with the Ainsworth Strange Situation's experimental paradigm at 12 months of corrected age. Findings indicate that infant attachment strategy is associated with antibiotics uptake, but results vary across samples. The proportion of infants that used antibiotics is highest among ambivalent-attached infants in the full-term sample but highest among avoidant-attached infants in the very-to-extreme premature sample. Moreover, higher infant gestational age and lower maternal sensitivity determine higher antibiotic use.

Neoehrlichia mikurensis-A New Emerging Tick-Borne Pathogen in North-Eastern Poland?

Neoehrlichia mikurensis is a new emerging tick-borne Gram-negative bacterium, belonging to the family Anaplasmataceae, the main vector of which in Europe is the tick Ixodes ricinus. N. mikurensis is responsible for neoehrlichiosis, occurring mostly in patients with underlying diseases. In the present study, a total of 348 I. ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus ticks collected in north-eastern Poland were analyzed for the prevalence of N. mikurensis. A total of 140 questing ticks (124 of I. ricinus ticks and 16 D. reticulatus) collected with the flagging method and 208 ticks (105 and 103 I. ricinus and D. reticulatus, respectively) removed from dogs were selected for the study. cDNA (questing ticks) and total DNA (questing and feeding ticks) were analyzed by qPCR targeting the 16S rRNA gene of N. mikurensis. Positive samples were further analyzed by nested PCR and sequencing. The prevalence differed between ticks collected from vegetation (19.3%; 27/140) and ticks removed from dogs (6.7%; 14/208). The presence of the pathogen in questing and feeding D. reticulatus ticks was proven in Poland for the first time. In summary, our research showed that infections of ticks of both the most common tick species I. ricinus and D. reticulatus in north-eastern Poland are present and ticks collected from urban areas were more often infected than ticks from suburban and natural areas. The detection of N. mikurensis in I. ricinus and D. reticulatus ticks from north-eastern Poland indicates potential transmission risk for tick-bitten humans at this latitude.

Antibody isotype epitope mapping of SARS-CoV-2 Spike RBD protein: Targets for COVID-19 symptomatology and disease control.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) still poses a challenge for biomedicine and public health. To advance the development of effective diagnostic, prognostic, and preventive interventions, our study focused on high-throughput antibody binding epitope mapping of the SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD protein by IgA, IgM and IgG antibodies in saliva and sera of different cohorts from healthy uninfected individuals to SARS-CoV-2-infected unvaccinated and vaccinated asymptomatic, recovered, nonsevere, and severe patients. Identified candidate diagnostic (455-LFRKSNLKPFERD-467), prognostic (395-VYADSFVIRGDEV-407-C-KLH, 332-ITNLCPFGEV-342-C-KLH, 352-AWNRKRI-358-C-KLH, 524-VCGPKKSTNLVKN-536-KLH), and protective (MKLLE-487-NCYFPLQSYGFQPTNGVG-504-GGGGS-446-GGNYNYLYRLFRKSNLKPFERD-467) epitopes were validated with sera from prevaccine and postvaccine cohorts. The results identified neutralizing epitopes and support that antibody recognition of linear B-cell epitopes in RBD protein is associated with antibody isotype and disease symptomatology. The findings in asymptomatic individuals suggest a role for anti-RBD antibodies in the protective response against SARS-CoV-2. The possibility of translating results into diagnostic interventions for the early diagnosis of asymptomatic individuals and prognosis of disease severity provides new tools for COVID-19 surveillance and evaluation of risks in hospitalized patients. These results, together with other approaches, may contribute to the development of new vaccines for the control of COVID-19 and other coronavirus-related diseases using a quantum vaccinomics approach through the combination of protective epitopes.