Comparison of axicabtagene ciloleucel and tisagenlecleucel patient CAR-T cell products by single-cell RNA sequencing.

Background: Autologous CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy leads to durable responses and improved survival in patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma (R/R LBCL). Among approved CAR T-cell products, axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel; CD19/CD28) has greater real-world efficacy and cytokine-associated toxicity than tisagenlecleucel (tisa-cel; CD19/4-1BB), for reasons that are poorly understood.

Methods: Here we report single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of 57 pre-infusion CAR T-cell products from axi-cel (n=39) and tisa-cel (n=18) patients treated as standard-of-care for R/R LBCL, and their biological associations with clinical outcomes.

Genetic mapping and validation of QTL for whitefly resistance in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz).

QTL associated with whitefly resistance were identified in a cassava F population and KASP markers applicable in selection for the trait were validated. Whitefly species pose a major threat to cassava production in tropical regions causing direct plant damage and transmitting viruses that lead to devastating cassava diseases. Aleurotrachelus socialis whitefly is one of the pests that affect cassava in South America.

Achievements in 3D printing of silica-based materials for bone tissue engineering.

Silica-based materials have been commonly studied in the field of bone tissue regeneration, due to their high bioactivity and osteogenic properties. There are two main strategies to obtain silica-based materials, a melt-quenching process using high temperatures, or a sol-gel reaction which can be carried out at mild conditions. Both techniques allow the preparation of calcium silicates and bioactive glasses, but pure silica can only be prepared through the sol-gel method.

The Acute Effects of a Fast-Food Meal Versus a Mediterranean Food Meal on the Autonomic Nervous System, Lung Function, and Airway Inflammation: A Randomized Crossover Trial.

Background/objectives: This study aimed to assess the acute effects of two isoenergetic but micronutrient-diverse meals-a Mediterranean-like meal (MdM) and a fast food-like meal (FFM)-on the autonomic nervous system (ANS), lung function, and airway inflammation response.

Methods: Forty-six participants were enrolled in a randomized crossover clinical trial, consuming two isoenergetic meals: FFM (burger, fries, and sugar-sweetened drink) and MdM (vegetable soup, whole-wheat pasta, salad, olive oil, sardines, fruit, and water). Pupillometry assessed parasympathetic (MaxD, MinD, Con, ACV, MCV) and sympathetic (ADV, T75) nervous system outcomes.

Low impact of Zostera marina meadows on sediment and water microbiota under brackish conditions.

Background: Zostera marina is an important ecosystem engineer influencing shallow water environments and possibly shaping the microbiota in surrounding sediments and water. Z. marina is typically found in marine systems, but it can also proliferate under brackish conditions.

The nasal mycobiome of individuals with allergic rhinitis and asthma differs from that of healthy controls in composition, structure and function.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma (AS) are two of the most common chronic respiratory diseases and a major public health concern. Multiple studies have demonstrated the role of the nasal bacteriome in AR and AS, but little is known about the airway mycobiome and its potential association to airway inflammatory diseases. Here we used the internal transcriber spacers (ITS) 1 and 2 and high-throughput sequencing to characterize the nasal mycobiome of 339 individuals with AR, AR with asthma (ARAS), AS and healthy controls (CT).

Thyroid function, autoimmunity, thyroid volume, and metabolic profile in people with Hashimoto thyroiditis.

Background: Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is associated with high cardiovascular risk. Thyroid volume has a notable dispersion of values in these patients. This study aims to clarify the association between thyroid antibodies, thyroid morphology, insulin resistance, and lipid profile in patients with HT.

Serum metalloproteinase-7 as a biomarker of progressive pulmonary fibrosis.

Introduction: Progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF) corresponds to any fibrotic interstitial lung disease (ILD) other than idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) that presents clinical, physiological and/or radiological evidence of disease progression similar to IPF. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis and are associated with disease progression and reduced survival in IPF and other fibrotic ILDs. This study aimed to investigate the role of serum levels of MMP-1 and MMP-7 in patients with fibrotic non-IPF ILD as possible biomarkers of patients at risk of developing PPF.

The time dependent influence of curvature and topography of biomaterials in the behavior of corneal endothelial cells.

Among the different layers of the cornea, the corneal endothelium, which is composed of corneal endothelial cells (CEC), plays a key role in the maintenance of cornea transparency. Based on the donor shortages and the limitations associated with transplantation, in this work we have developed collagen hydrogels with different patterned structures on the surface to provide topographies in ranges similar to the natural environment that CEC sense. This aimed at stimulating cells to maintain a typical CEC phenotype and provide alternatives to corneal transplantation.

Silica 3D printed scaffolds as pH stimuli-responsive drug release platform.

Silica-based scaffolds are promising in Tissue Engineering by enabling personalized scaffolds, boosting exceptional bioactivity and osteogenic characteristics. Moreover, silica materials are highly tunable, allowing for controlled drug release to enhance tissue regeneration. In this study, we developed a 3D printable silica material with controlled mesoporosity, achieved through the sol-gel reaction of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) at mild temperatures with the addition of different calcium concentrations.

Ocular surface disorders: office procedures for the allergist/clinical immunologist.

Purpose Of Review: Ocular surface disorders (OSDs) are a prevalent and often debilitating condition encountered in clinical practice, particularly by allergists and clinical immunologists.

Recent Findings: A comprehensive guide to office procedures for evaluating and managing OSDs, with a specific focus on ocular allergies, would assist in the evaluation process that begins with an initial patient assessment utilizing standardized forms to systematically gather detailed medical history, symptomatology, and environmental exposure data. This structured approach ensures a thorough understanding of the patient's condition and facilitates targeted interventions.

Engineering a microparticle-loaded rough membrane for guided bone regeneration modulating osteoblast response without inducing inflammation.

Guided bone regeneration (GBR) is a widely used procedure that prevents the fast in-growth of soft tissues into bone defect. Among the different types of membranes, the use of collagen membranes is the gold standard. However, these membranes are implanted in tissue location where a severe acute inflammation will occur and can be negatively affected.

Development of clobetasol-loaded biodegradable nanoparticles as an endodontic intracanal medicament.

Aim: The aim of current study is the development and optimization of biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) to be used in the field of Endodontics as intracanal medication in cases of avulsed teeth with extended extra-oral time, utilizing PLGA polymers loaded with the anti-inflammatory drug clobetasol propionate (CP).

Methodology: CP-loaded nanoparticles (CP-NPs) were prepared using the solvent displacement method. CP release profile from CP-NPs was assessed for 48 h against free CP.

Calcium hydroxide-loaded nanoparticles dispersed in thermosensitive gel as a novel intracanal medicament.

Aim: Design, produce and assess the viability of a novel nanotechnological antibacterial thermo-sensible intracanal medicament This involves encapsulating calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)) within polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) and dispersing them in a thermosensitive gel (Ca(OH)-NPs-gel). In addition, perform in vitro and ex vivo assessments to evaluate tissue irritation and penetration capacity into dentinal tubules in comparison to free Ca(OH).

Methodology: Reproducibility of Ca(OH)₂-NPs was confirmed by obtaining the average size of the NPs, their polydispersity index, zeta potential and entrapment efficiency.

Silver coating on dental implant-abutment connection screws as potential strategy to prevent loosening and minimizing bacteria adhesion.

One of the main problems for the long-term behavior of dental implants are loosening of the implant-abutment connection screws and bacterial infiltration. The aim of this work is to increase the screw fixation by silver coating, providing superior mechanical retaining and antibacterial effect. Eighty dental implants with their abutments and screws have been studied.

The effect of the attitude towards risk/ambiguity on examination grades: cross-sectional study in a Portuguese medical school.

Given the high prevalence of multiple-choice examinations with formula scoring in medical training, several studies have tried to identify other factors in addition to the degree of knowledge of students which influence their response patterns. This study aims to measure the effect of students' attitude towards risk and ambiguity on their number of correct, wrong, and blank answers. In October 2018, 233 3rd year medical students from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, in Porto, Portugal, completed a questionnaire which assessed the student's attitudes towards risk and ambiguity, and aversion to ambiguity in medicine.

Novel strategies enhancing endodontic disinfection: Antibacterial biodegradable calcium hydroxide nanoparticles in an ex vivo model.

Due to the high failure rates associated to endodontic disinfection, this study aimed to investigate the antibacterial properties of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with Ca(OH) for endodontic disinfection procedures. Ca(OH) NPs production and physicochemical characterization were carried out as well as multiple antibacterial tests using three bacterial strains and an ex vivo model of endodontic infection with extracted human teeth. Agar diffusion test and broth dilution determined the inhibition growth zones (n = 5) and the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC, n = 5), respectively.

Review of instrumental texture measurements as phenotypic tool to assess textural diversity of root, tuber and banana food products.

Roots, tubers and bananas (RTBs) contribute immensely to food security and livelihoods in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and Latin America. The adoption of RTB genotypes in these regions relies on the interplay among agronomic traits, ease of processing and consumer preference. In breeding RTBs, until recently little attention was accorded key textural traits preferred by consumers.

Does the Mediterranean Dietary Pattern Promote Lower Sodium Urinary Excretion in Children?

An adequate sodium intake is related to various health benefits. Parallelly, the Mediterranean diet (MD) is a dietary pattern known for its many positive impacts on health. Nonetheless, the association between adherence to the MD and sodium urinary excretion is scarce, even more in children.

Mediterranean Diet and Airway Inflammation in School-Aged Children.

There seems to exist an intricate relationship between airway inflammation, body mass index (BMI), and diet. The intake of specific foods or food groups has been suggested to suppress the oxidative stress and inflammatory processes that characterize airway inflammation, but little is known about dietary patterns and their complex interplay with BMI and airway inflammation. Therefore, this cross-sectional study aimed to explore the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD), a characteristic European diet, and levels of airway inflammation in school-aged children, taking into account their BMI.