Characteristic pro-inflammatory cytokines and host defence cathelicidin peptide produced by human monocyte-derived macrophages infected with Neospora caninum.

Neospora caninum is a coccidian intracellular protozoan capable of infecting a wide range of mammals, although severe disease is mostly reported in dogs and cattle. Innate defences triggered by monocytes/macrophages are key in the pathogenesis of neosporosis, as these cells are first-line defenders against intracellular infections. The aim of this study was to characterize infection and innate responses in macrophages infected with N. caninum using a well-known cell model to study macrophage functions (human monocyte THP-1 cells). Intracellular invasion of live tachyzoites occurred as fast as 4 h (confirmed with immunofluorescence microscopy using N. caninum-specific antibodies). Macrophages infected by N. caninum had increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNFα, IL-1ß, IL-8, IFNγ). Interestingly, N. caninum induced expression of host-defence peptides (cathelicidins), a mechanism of defence never reported for N. caninum infection in macrophages. The expression of cytokines and cathelicidins in macrophages invaded by N. caninum was mediated by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK 1/2). Secretion of such innate factors from N. caninum-infected macrophages reduced parasite internalization and promoted the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines in naïve macrophages. We concluded that rapid invasion of macrophages by N. caninum triggered protective innate defence mechanisms against intracellular pathogens.

Fatigue behaviour of NiTi shape memory alloy scaffolds produced by SLM, a unit cell design comparison.

Selective laser melting (SLM) is an additive manufacturing technique able to produce complex functional parts via successively melting layers of metal powder. This process grants the freedom to design highly complex scaffold components to allow bone ingrowth and aid mechanical anchorage. This paper investigates the compression fatigue behaviour of three different unit cells (octahedron, cellular gyroid and sheet gyroid) of SLM nitinol scaffolds. It was found that triply periodic minimal surfaces display superior static mechanical properties in comparison to conventional octahedron beam lattice structures at identical volume fractions. Fatigue resistance was also found to be highly geometry dependent due to the effects of AM processing techniques on the surface topography and notch sensitivity. Geometries minimising nodal points and the staircase effect displayed the greatest fatigue resistance when normalized to yield strength. Furthermore oxygen analysis showed a large oxygen uptake during SLM processing which must be altered to meet ASTM medical grade standards and may significantly reduce fatigue life. These achieved fatigue properties indicate that NiTi scaffolds produced via SLM can provide sufficient mechanical support over an implants lifetime within stress range values experienced in real life.

Additively Manufactured and Surface Biofunctionalized Porous Nitinol.

Enhanced bone tissue regeneration and improved osseointegration are among the most important goals in design of multifunctional orthopedic biomaterials. In this study, we used additive manufacturing (selective laser melting) to develop multifunctional porous nitinol that combines superelasticity with a rationally designed microarchitecture and biofunctionalized surface. The rational design based on triply periodic minimal surfaces aimed to properly adjust the pore size, increase the surface area (thereby amplifying the effects of surface biofunctionalization), and resemble the curvature characteristics of trabecular bone. The surface of additively manufactured (AM) porous nitinol was biofunctionalized using polydopamine-immobilized rhBMP2 for better control of the release kinetics. The actual morphological properties of porous nitinol measured by microcomputed tomography (e.g., open/close porosity, and surface area) closely matched the design values. The superelasticity originated from the austenite phase formed in the nitinol porous structure at room temperature. Polydopamine and rhBMP2 signature peaks were confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy tests. The release of rhBMP2 continued until 28 days. The early time and long-term release profiles were found to be adjustable independent of each other. In vitro cell culture showed improved cell attachment, cell proliferation, cell morphology (spreading, spindle-like shape), and cell coverage as well as elevated levels of ALP activity and increased calcium content for biofunctionalized surfaces as compared to as-manufactured specimens. The demonstrated functionalities of porous nitinol could be used as a basis for deployable orthopedic implants with rationally designed microarchitectures that maximize bone tissue regeneration performance by release of biomolecules with adjustable and well-controlled release profiles.

Hybrid inorganic-organic tandem solar cells for broad absorption of the solar spectrum.

We report the first hybrid tandem solar cell with solution processable active layers using colloidal PbS quantum dots (QDs) as the front subcell in combination with a polymer-fullerene rear subcell. Al/WO3 is introduced as an interlayer, yielding an open circuit voltage (VOC) equal to about 92% of the sum of the VOC of the subcells. The device exhibits a power conversion efficiency of 1.8%. Optical simulations of various tandem configurations show that combining PbS QDs with small-bandgap polymers is a promising strategy to obtain tandem solar cells with a very broad absorption range and a high short circuit current.

Ileostomy rod--is it a bridge too far?

OBJECTIVE: Defunctioning loop ileostomies are used commonly to protect low colorectal anastomoses and thereby reducing the serious complications of leakage. However, they are associated with specific complications such as retraction. Traditionally, a supporting rod is placed as a bridge to support both limbs of the stoma in the hope of reducing the incidence of stomal retraction. There is little evidence in the published literature to support this practice. The aim of this study was to determine whether using an ileostomy rod would reduce the incidence of stomal retraction. METHOD: A prospective, randomised controlled trial was performed in 60 consecutive patients who required a defunctioning loop ileostomy. Patients were allocated to either a 'bridge' or 'bridge-less' protocol. All the patients were assessed by dedicated stoma nurses for at least 3 months and until their stomas were closed. Their postoperative symptoms, including stoma activity and retraction rate, were recorded. RESULTS: Between May 2001 and June 2004, 57 patients completed the study (28 bridge; 29 bridge-less). There were no significant differences in the retraction rate between the groups. No clinical anastomotic leakage was recorded and none of the patients required early closure. CONCLUSIONS: If a loop ileostomy is constructed properly, stomal retraction is uncommon and routine use of a bridge is unnecessary.

Ohalo II H2: a 19,000-year-old skeleton from a water-logged site at the Sea of Galilee, Israel.

The discovery of well-preserved human remains at the site of Ohalo II in the northern Jordan Valley substantially augments the meager fossil record of the Levantine late Upper Pleistocene. The Ohalo II H2 specimen, dated to ca. 19,000 B.P., is the most complete early Epipaleolithic hominid discovered in Israel and promises to contribute to the clarification of a number of problematic issues in the local evolution of anatomically modern humans. In addition to a description of the burial and its Kebaran context, a detailed anatomical description of the skeleton is offered and morphometric comparisons are made to other Upper Paleolithic hominids. Ohalo II H2 is shown to demonstrate affinities in the craniofacial skeleton to fossils from the early Upper Paleolithic and late Epi-Paleolithic of the Levant.

Unusual pathological condition in the lower extremities of a skeleton from ancient Israel.

We report here an unusual pathology in a 1,500-year-old skeleton recovered from Bet Guvrin, Israel. The pathological changes in the lower extremities and the diagnostic difficulties are presented. We attribute this condition to Madura foot, found primarily in tropical and subtropical regions, although other diagnoses are possible and are noted. We discuss its appearance in the region in light of the historical context.

Possible congenital hemolytic anemia in prehistoric coastal inhabitants of Israel.

The spread of thalassemia among prehistoric populations of the Mediterranean Basin has been linked to the increased risk to early agriculturalists posed by the Plasmodium falciparum parasite. The diagnosis of the disease in human skeletal remains, however, has usually been based on a single pathological criterion, porotic hyperostosis. This paper reports on what we believe to be the earliest case of thalassemia yet identified in the prehistoric record. Our diagnosis of the disease in an individual from the submerged Prepottery Neolithic B village of Atlit-Yam off the Israeli coast is based on a pathological humerus demonstrating a pattern of deformation characteristic of clinical thalassemia. The implications of these findings for our understanding of human societies undergoing the transition from foraging to agriculture in the Near East are discussed.