The distribution and morphology of neuronal degeneration were observed and analyzed in each sector of the zona incerta in a lithium‐pilocarpine (LiCl) Wistar rat model of status epilepticus in 12, 15, 18, 21, and 25‐day‐old rats and survival intervals of 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 hours. Status epilepticus was induced via intraperitoneal (IP) injection of LiCl (3 mmol/kg) 24 hours before an injection of pilocarpine (40 mg/kg, IP). Motor seizures were suppressed by paraldehyde (0.3‐0.6 ml/kg, IP) two hours after status epilepticus onset. Animals were anesthetized using urethane and perfused with phosphate‐buffered saline followed by 4% paraformaldehyde. Brains were sectioned and Nissl stained for map guidance, with fluoro‐Jade B fluorescence used to detect degenerated neurons. Fluoro‐jade B‐positive neurons were plotted to a standard stereotaxic atlas, their distribution was quantified, and their long‐axis diameter was measured. Fluoro‐jade B‐positive neurons were found in pups aged 15 days and older 24 hours after status epilepticus, in which their numbers increased, and their perikaryon size decreased with advancing age. Thus, neuronal damage severity was dependent on age and survival interval. Neuronal damage was only found in the rostral sector of the zona incerta, a region that exhibits a small number of inhibitory neurons and is reciprocally connected to the limbic cortex. This system of hyperactivity, coupled with inhibitory neurons, may be the underlying cause of the neuronal degeneration and explain why it was confined to the rostral sector of the zona incerta.

• MeSH
• chlorid lithný toxicita   MeSH
• degenerace nervu * patologie   etiologie   MeSH
• fluoresceiny MeSH
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• modely nemocí na zvířatech MeSH
• neurony * patologie   MeSH
• novorozená zvířata MeSH
• pilokarpin toxicita   MeSH
• potkani Wistar MeSH
• status epilepticus * patologie   chemicky indukované   komplikace   MeSH
• věkové faktory MeSH
• zona incerta * patologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

It has been demonstrated that freezing-induced acidity changes have an impact on the structural integrity, degree of aggregation, and chemical stability of frozen food and pharmaceutical products. The stability of the compounds in solutions is maintained by the presence of buffers. However, many buffers are unsuitable for applications involving freezing as this process substantially alters the acidity. In this study, we determine the effect of initial pH, concentration, and cooling rate on the freezing-induced change in acidity of phosphate buffered saline (PBS) in the frozen state via UV-VIS spectroscopy. Furthermore, we examine the impact of individual salts present in PBS and discuss the mechanisms affecting the resulting acidity that we approximate via Hammett acidity function (H2-).

• MeSH
• fosfáty * chemie   MeSH
• koncentrace vodíkových iontů MeSH
• pufry MeSH
• solný roztok * chemie   MeSH
• zmrazování MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

BACKGROUND: Spinal cord injury results in permanent neurological impairment and disability due to the absence of spontaneous regeneration. NG101, a recombinant human antibody, neutralises the neurite growth-inhibiting protein Nogo-A, promoting neural repair and motor recovery in animal models of spinal cord injury. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of intrathecal NG101 on recovery in patients with acute cervical traumatic spinal cord injury. METHODS: This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2b clinical trial was done at 13 hospitals in the Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, and Switzerland. Patients aged 18-70 years with acute, complete or incomplete cervical spinal cord injury (neurological level of injury C1-C8) within 4-28 days of injury were eligible for inclusion. Participants were initially randomly assigned 1:1 to intrathecal treatment with 45 mg NG101 or placebo (phosphate-buffered saline); 18 months into the study, the ratio was adjusted to 3:1 to achieve a final distribution of 2:1 to improve enrolment and drug exposure. Randomisation was done using a centralised, computer-based randomisation system and was stratified according to nine distinct outcome categories with a validated upper extremity motor score (UEMS) prediction model based on clinical parameters at screening. Six intrathecal injections were administered every 5 days over 4 weeks, starting within 28 days of injury. Investigators, study personnel, and study participants were masked to treatment allocation. The primary outcome was change in UEMS at 6 months, analysed alongside safety in the full analysis set. The completed trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03935321. FINDINGS: From May 20, 2019, to July 20, 2022, 463 patients with acute traumatic cervical spinal cord injury were screened, 334 were deemed ineligible and excluded, and 129 were randomly assigned to an intervention (80 patients in the NG101 group and 49 in the placebo group). The full analysis set comprised 78 patients from the NG101 group and 48 patients from the placebo group. 107 (85%) patients were male and 19 (15%) patients were female, with a median age of 51·5 years (IQR 30·0-60·0). Across all patients, the primary endpoint showed no significant difference between groups (with UEMS change at 6 months 1·37 [95% CI -1·44 to 4·18]; placebo group mean 19·20 [SD 11·78] at baseline and 30·91 [SD 15·49] at day 168; NG101 group mean 18·23 [SD 15·14] at baseline and 31·31 [19·54] at day 168). Treatment-related adverse events were similar between groups (nine in the NG101 group and six in the placebo group). 25 severe adverse events were reported: 18 in 11 (14%) patients in the NG101 group and seven in six (13%) patients in the placebo group. Although no treatment-related fatalities were reported in the NG101 group, one fatality not related to treatment occurred in the placebo group. Infections were the most common adverse event affecting 44 (92%) patients in the placebo group and 65 (83%) patients in the NG101 group. INTERPRETATION: NG101 did not improve UEMS in patients with acute spinal cord injury. Post-hoc subgroup analyses assessing UEMS and Spinal Cord Independence Measure of self-care in patients with motor-incomplete injury indicated potential beneficial effects that require investigation in future studies. FUNDING: EU program Horizon2020; Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation; Wings for Life; the Swiss Paraplegic Foundation; and the CeNeReg project of Wyss Zurich (University of Zurich and Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zurich).

• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• dvojitá slepá metoda MeSH
• krční mícha * zranění   MeSH
• krční obratle MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• Nogo proteiny * MeSH
• poranění míchy * farmakoterapie   MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• spinální injekce * MeSH
• výsledek terapie MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• klinické zkoušky, fáze II MeSH
• multicentrická studie MeSH
• randomizované kontrolované studie MeSH

The issue of bone volume loss is playing an increasing role in bone tissue engineering. Research has focused on studying the preparation and use of different types of human or xenogenic materials and their osteogenic properties. An alternative source for this purpose could be autologous extracted teeth. The simple preparation protocol, minimal immune response, and rapid organizing of the newly formed bone with optimal mechanical properties predispose autologous hard teeth tissues (HTTs) as a promising material suitable in the indication of augmentation of maxillary and mandible defects, comparable to other high-end augmentation materials. The aim of this study was to experimentally evaluate the osteogenic potential of ground native autologous HTTs prepared by different demineralization procedures, aimed at potentiating the osteoinductive and osteoconductive properties of their organic components. The results indicate that the most effective preparation process for HTT stimulation is the application of Cleanser for 10 min followed by exposure to 0.6 N HCl for 5 min with a wash in phosphate-buffered saline solution.

• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Bacterial contamination of semen has become an important contributor to the reduced shelf life of insemination doses in the poultry industry, which is why antibiotics (ATBs) are an important component of semen extenders. Due to a global rise in antimicrobial resistance, the aim of this study was to assess the efficiency of selected commercially available semen extenders to prevent possible bacterial contamination of rooster ejaculates. Two selected extenders free from or containing 31.2 μg/mL kanamycin (KAN) were used to process semen samples from 63 healthy Lohmann Brown roosters. Phosphate-buffered saline without ATBs was used as a control. The extended samples were stored at 4 °C for 24 h. Sperm motility, viability, mitochondrial activity, DNA integrity and the oxidative profile of each extended sample were assessed following 2 h and 24 h of storage. Furthermore, selective media were used to quantify the bacterial load and specific bacterial species were identified with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. The results indicate that semen extenders enriched with KAN ensured a significantly higher preservation of sperm quality in comparison to their KAN-free counterparts. Bacterial load was significantly decreased in diluents supplemented with ATBs (p ≤ 0.001); however, KAN alone was not effective enough to eradicate all bacteria since several Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium and Micrococcus luteus were retrieved from samples extended in KAN-supplemented commercial extenders. As such, we may suggest that more focus should be devoted to the selection of an optimal combination and dose of antibiotics for poultry extenders, which should be accompanied by a more frequent bacteriological screening of native as well as extended poultry semen.

• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Východiska: Každý rok jsou milionům lidí diagnostikována nádorová onemocnění a jejich léčba představuje pro plátce zdravotní péče finanční zátěž. V oblasti nádorových onemocnění byl učiněn velký pokrok; jednou z nejnovějších metod je využití onkolytických virů. Cílem této studie bylo hodnocení vliv divokých kmenů onkolytického viru Newcastleské choroby (Newcastle disease virus wild-type strains – NDV-WTS) na imunitní systém. Materiál a metody: Čtyřicet myší bylo rozděleno do čtyř skupin (10 zvířat v každé skupině). Kontrolní skupině byl aplikován fosfátový pufr a experimentálním skupinám 1 (NDV-WTS 1), 2 (NDV-WTS 2) a 3 (NDV-WTS 3) byl 0., 14. a 28. den aplikován Newcastleský virus v titrech 10–1, 10–2 a 10–3. Třicátý první den bylo zvířatům do levého chodidla vpíchnuto 100 μl Newcastleského viru. Po 48 hodinách byla měřena přecitlivělost oddáleného typu (delayed-type hypersensitivity – DTH). Třicátý třetí den byly izolovány peritoneální makrofágy. Pak byla měřena proliferace buněk pomocí methyl-thiazolyl-tetrazolium (MTT) testu. Rovněž bylo hodnoceno vychytávání neutrální červeně a respirační vzplanutí makrofágů. Data byla analyzována pomocí statistického software SPSS, verze 19. Výsledky: Výsledky DTH testu ukázaly otok chodidla u kontrolní skupiny a ve skupinách NDV-WTS 1, NDV-WTS 2 a NDV-WTS 3 z 23,5 %, 23,5 %, 23,6 % a 23,6 %. V tomto ohledu nebyly mezi jednotlivými skupinami významné rozdíly (p > 0,05). Negativní nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) test jakožto indikátor respiračního vzplanutí makrofágů neprokázal mezi skupinami významné rozdíly (p > 0,05). Vychytávání neutrální červeně a MTT test rovněž neukázaly mezi skupinami významné rozdíly (p > 0,05). Závěr: Výsledky této studie svědčí o tom, že DV-WTS v dávkách 10–1, 10–2 a 10–3 nemají na normální zdravé buňky žádné vedlejší účinky.

Background: Millions of people are diagnosed with cancer each year, and fighting it puts a heavy financial burden on communities and governments. Numerous advances have been made in the field of cancer; one of the newest methods is using oncolytic viruses. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of oncolytic Newcastle disease virus wild-type strains (NDV-WTS) on the immune system. Material and methods: Forty mice were divided into four groups (10 animals in each group). The control group received phosphate buffered saline, and experimental group 1 (NDV-WTS 1), experimental group 2 (NDV-WTS 2), and experimental group 3 (NDV-WTS 3) received 10–1, 10–2, and 10–3 titers of Newcastle virus on 0, 14th, and 28th days. On the 31st day, 100 μL of Newcastle virus was injected into the left footpads of animals. After 48 hours, delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions were measured. On the 33rd day, peritoneal macrophages were isolated. Then proliferation of the cells was measured by the methyl-thiazolyl-tetrazolium (MTT) test. Neutral red uptake and respiratory burst of peritoneal macrophages were also assessed. Data were analyzed using statistical software SPSS, version 19. Results: The results of the DTH test showed that footpad swelling in control, NDV-WTS 1, NDV-WTS 2, and NDV-WTS 3 groups were 23.5%, 23.5%, 23.6% and 23.6%. No significant differences were seen between the groups in this regard (P > 0.05). A negative nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction test as an indicator of macrophage‘s respiratory burst, showed no significant difference between the groups (P > 0.05). The neutral red uptake assay and MTT test showed no significant differences between the groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that NDV-WTS in doses of 10–1, 10–2, and 10–3 have no adverse effects on healthy normal cells.

• MeSH
• imunita MeSH
• modely nemocí na zvířatech MeSH
• myši MeSH
• nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
• nádory terapie   MeSH
• onkolytická viroterapie * metody   MeSH
• onkolytické viry fyziologie   MeSH
• virus newcastleské nemoci fyziologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH

The effects of two anticancer active copper(II) mixed-ligand complexes of the type [Cu(qui)(mphen)]Y·H2O, where Hqui = 2-phenyl-3-hydroxy- 1H-quinolin-4-one, mphen = bathophenanthroline, and Y = NO3 (complex 1) or BF4 (complex 2) on the activities of different isoenzymes of cytochrome P450 (CYP) have been evaluated. The screening revealed significant inhibitory effects of the complexes on CYP3A4/5 (IC50 values were 2.46 and 4.88 μM), CYP2C9 (IC50 values were 16.34 and 37.25 μM), and CYP2C19 (IC50 values were 61.21 and 77.07 μM). Further, the analysis of mechanisms of action uncovered a non-competitive type of inhibition for both the studied compounds. Consequent studies of pharmacokinetic properties proved good stability of both the complexes in phosphate buffer saline (>96% stability) and human plasma (>91% stability) after 2 h of incubation. Both compounds are moderately metabolised by human liver microsomes (<30% after 1 h of incubation), and over 90% of the complexes bind to plasma proteins. The obtained results showed the potential of complexes 1 and 2 to interact with major metabolic pathways of drugs and, as a consequence of this finding, their apparent incompatibility in combination therapy with most chemotherapeutic agents.

• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

The research of novel implantable medical devices is one of the most attractive, yet complex areas in the biomedical field. The design and development of sufficiently small devices working in an in vivo environment is challenging but successful encapsulation of such devices is even more so. Industry-standard methods using glass and titanium are too expensive and tedious, and epoxy or silicone encapsulation is prone to water ingress with cable feedthroughs being the most frequent point of failure. This paper describes a universal and straightforward method for reliable encapsulation of circuit boards that achieves ISO10993 compliance. A two-part PVDF mold was machined using a conventional 3-axis machining center. Then, the circuit board with a hermetic feedthrough was placed in the mold and epoxy resin was injected into the mold under pressure to fill the cavity. Finally, the biocompatibility was further enhanced with an inert P3HT polymer coating which can be easily formulated into an ink. The biocompatibility of the encapsulants was assessed according to ISO10993. The endurance of the presented solution compared to silicone potting and epoxy potting was assessed by submersion in phosphate-buffered saline solution at 37 °C. The proposed method showed superior results to PDMS and simple epoxy potting.

• MeSH
• elektronika MeSH
• epoxidové pryskyřice * MeSH
• protézy a implantáty * MeSH
• silikony MeSH
• voda MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) represent cornerstones of current regimens for treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infections. However, NNRTIs usually suffer from low aqueous solubility and the emergence of resistant viral strains. In the present work, novel bicyclic NNRTIs derived from etravirine (ETV) and rilpivirine (RPV), bearing modified purine, tetrahydropteridine, and pyrimidodiazepine cores, were designed and prepared. Compounds 2, 4, and 6 carrying the acrylonitrile moiety displayed single-digit nanomolar activities against the wild-type (WT) virus (EC50 = 2.5, 2.7, and 3.0 nM, respectively), where the low nanomolar activity was retained against HXB2 (EC50 = 2.2-2.8 nM) and the K103N and Y181C mutated strains (fold change, 1.2-6.7×). Most importantly, compound 2 exhibited significantly improved phosphate-buffered saline solubility (10.4 μM) compared to ETV and RPV (≪1 μM). Additionally, the binding modes of compounds 2, 4, and 6 to the reverse transcriptase were studied by X-ray crystallography.

• MeSH
• HIV infekce * farmakoterapie   MeSH
• HIV reverzní transkriptasa metabolismus   MeSH
• HIV-1 * metabolismus   MeSH
• inhibitory reverzní transkriptasy MeSH
• látky proti HIV * chemie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• racionální návrh léčiv MeSH
• rilpivirin terapeutické užití   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. MeSH

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the pharmacological role of indigo extract in accelerating the wound healing in a rat model. METHODS: Female Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized with ketamine (30 mg/kg, i.p.) and the full thickness of the marked skin was then cut carefully and wounds were left undressed. Indigo extract (5%) in PBS was applied topically twice daily until healing was complete. A control group of rats was treated with povidone-iodide (Betadine®). Rats treated with phosphate buffer saline were used as a negative control group. The rate of wound healing was assessed daily. Histopathological examination of skin sections were qualitatively assessed by independent evaluators. The inflammatory and apoptotic markers were assessed in skin tissue homogenates using ELISA. RESULTS: Histopathology data showed that applying indigo to skin wounds enhanced the healing process, resulting in a significant decrease in dermal inflammation in comparison to untreated rats. Topical application of indigo significantly increased antioxidant enzyme activities with reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in wound tissues. The levels of matrix metalloproteases-2 and -9 were significantly lower with an accompanied increase in the level of TGF-β1 in skin tissues from rats treated with indigo compared to the control group treated with PBS. CONCLUSIONS: The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of indigo leaf extract accelerate the healing of skin injuries.

• MeSH
• antioxidancia farmakologie   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• hojení ran MeSH
• indigotindisulfonát sodný * MeSH
• kožní nemoci * MeSH
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• listy rostlin MeSH
• potkani Sprague-Dawley MeSH
• rostlinné extrakty farmakologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH