3D printing of dolutegravir-loaded polylactide filaments as a long-acting implantable system for HIV treatment.

3D printing was used to prepare implantable systems or tablets loaded with dolutegravir to explore their potential as long-acting implantables (LAIs). Our strategy relies on preparing a polylactide (PLA) filament loaded with the anti-HIV drug. Subsequently, 3D printing was performed under conditions that allowed the PLA to be simultaneously melted and the drug encapsulated within the printed strand. The dolutegravir release profiles indicated its sustained release for 47 days. Furthermore, neat and drug-loaded tablets were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), while their morphology was assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Finally, their biocompatibility was proved by MTT assay against ISO standards recommended L929 mouse and human Hs68 skin fibroblast cells. All the results indicated that the 3D printing of PLA-based tablets could produce customized medications with potential applications against HIV.

[Evaluation of exposure to ionizing radiation among gamma camera operators]. / Ocena narazenia na promieniowanie jonizujice techników obslugujacych gammakamery.

BACKGROUND: Protection of nuclear medicine unit employees from hazards of the ionizing radiation is a crucial issue of radiation protection services. We aimed to assess the severity of the occupational radiation exposure of technicians performing scintigraphic examinations at the Nuclear Medicine Department, Central Teaching Hospital of Medical University in Lódz, where thousands of different diagnostic procedures are performed yearly. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 2013 the studied diagnostic unit has employed 10 technicians, whose exposure is permanently monitored by individual dosimetry. We analyzed retrospective data of quarterly doses in terms of Hp(10) dose equivalents over the years 2001-2010. Also annual and five-year doses were determined to relate the results to current regulations. Moreover, for a selected period of one year, we collected data on the total activity of radiopharmaceuticals used for diagnostics, to analyze potential relationship with doses recorded in technicians performing the examinations. RESULTS: In a 10-year period under study, the highest annual dose recorded in a technician was 2 mSv, which represented 10% of the annual dose limit of 20 mSv. The highest total dose for a 5-year period was 7.1 mSv, less than 10% of a 5-year dose limit for occupational exposure. Positive linear correlation was observed between total activity of radiopharmaceuticals used for diagnostics in the period of three months and respective quarterly doses received by technicians performing examinations. CONCLUSIONS: Doses received by nuclear medicine technicians performing diagnostic procedures in compliance with principles of radiation protection are low, which is confirmed by recognizing the technicians of this unit as B category employees.

Development of an anti-infective urinary catheter composed of polyvinyl alcohol/sodium alginate/methylcellulose/polyethylene glycol by using a pressure-assisted 3D-printing technique.

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) are a common complication associated with catheterization, leading to urosepsis, bacteriuria, and septicaemia. The present work focuses on 3D printing a urinary catheter with anti-infective properties using various concentrations of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA, e.g., 6-8 %), sodium alginate (NaAlg, e.g. 1-4 %), methylcellulose (MC, 5 %), polyethylene glycol (PEG, 5 %) impregnated with secnidazole, an antibiotic acting against Gram-negative bacteria. To produce suitable polymer ink for Pressure Assisted Microsyringe (PAM) 3D printing, the cross-linked between NaAlg and calcium chloride is necessary to prepare the catheter. The optimised catheter was found to have an outer diameter of 5 mm, an inner diameter of 3.5 mm, and a length of the catheter of 50 mm. The analysis by various methods confirms the successful incorporation of secnidazole in the 3D-printed catheter. A drug-loaded/coated catheter showed an initial drug release of 79 % following a sustained release to reach 100 % within 5 h. Weibull model fits well with the drug release data. The release models suggest the Quasi-Fickian diffusion mechanism from the system. Moreover, the secnidazole 3D printed catheter disrupted biofilms and suppressed all the Quorum sensing mediated virulence factors of two important keystone pathogens causing urinary tract infections.

[Pregnancy complicated with thrombocytopenia]. / Ciaza powiklana maloplytkowoscia.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the influence of the sort of thrombocytopenia and count of platelets on the course of pregnancy, maternal and neonatal outcomes. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of 45 women, threatened of thrombocytopenia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The trial population consisted of 45 women, where the following parameters were evaluated: age of laboring women, gestational age, the mode of delivery, count of platelets, bleeding complications, the need of treatment with steroids and platelets transfusions, as well as the birth weight of newborns, the Apgar score in the 1st minute, thrombocytopenia and bleeding complications in neonates. RESULTS: There were 27 women with gestational-induced thrombocytopenia and 18 women had immune thrombocytopenia. Moreover 14 had severe and 31--moderate thrombocytopenia. Premature labor (<37 week of pregnancy) were observed more often in patients with severe than in moderate thrombocytopenia (6/14-42,85% vs. 4/31-16,13%; p < 0.05). Lower neonatal body weight (2774.28 +/- 28 vs. 3120.32 +/- 788.22; p < 0.05), Apgar score in the 1st minute (7.42 +/- 3.56 vs. 9.13 +/- 1.56; p < 0.01), as well as neonatal complications (71.42% vs. 28.58; p < 0.01), were also observed more often in severe than in moderate thrombocytopenia group. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of antiplatelet antiobodies were associated with platelets count <50 x 10(3)/MICROL, the necessity of treatment with steroids and platelet infusions to the mother, as well as delivery of neonates with lower Apgar score in the 1st minute and neonatal thrombocytopenia. Severe thrombocytopenia was associated with the necessity of treatment with steroids and platelet infusions, preterm delivery, lower Apgar score in the 1st minute and neonatal thrombocytopenia.