Experience in Using Fetal Membranes: The Present and New Perspectives

INTRODUCTION

The placenta is an accessible source of tissues for transplantation. Placental transplants have been used in wound treatment because of the basic function of the placenta and its nutritious properties and structure.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The aim of this work is to present the clinical usage of fetal membranes, including human amnion, on the basis of the burn treatment center's experience. The clinical use of amnion and different types of placental transplants are described. The initial results of research work within the MEDPIG project are presented regarding the application of placenta from transgenic pigs as a source of tissues for transplantation.

RESULTS

From August 2011 to March 2017, 252,592 cm² of biostatic human amnion transplants were prepared in our tissue bank. During this period they were transplanted to 528 patients, including 10 patients with Lyell syndrome. Initial studies were conducted in which placentas were collected from 5 transgenic pigs and 27,426 cm² of amniotic grafts were prepared from them.

DISCUSSION

The authors' own experience as well as the literature confirm the extraordinary efficiency of transplants prepared from placental tissues, especially from the amniotic membrane.

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical effects confirm the effectiveness of using human amnion in wound treatment. Amniotic transplant is a new treatment standard in toxic epidermal necrolysis TEN (Lyell's syndrome), which has found confirmation in very good clinical outcomes. The collected placentas from transgenic animals enabled the preparation of significantly more grafts than in the case of human material, which is a great advantage of this source of placenta over human tissues.

Carboxyl groups of citric acid in the process of complex formation with bivalent and trivalent metal ions in biological systems

Binary complexes of citric acid (H₃L - protonated form, H₂L and HL - partly protonated forms, L - fully deprotonated) with d- and f-electron metal ions were investigated. The studies have been performed in aqueous solution using the potentiometric method with computer analysis of the data, electron paramagnetic resonance, infrared, visible as well as luminescence spectroscopies. The overall stability constants of the complexes were determined. Analysis of the equilibrium constants of the reactions and spectroscopic data has allowed determination of the type of coordination and effectiveness of the carboxyl groups in the process of complex formation. On the basis of potentiometric titration for d-electron were found dimeric and monomeric type of complexes and for f-electron four type of complexes: MHL, ML, ML(OH) and ML(OH)₂.

Sonochemical growth of nanomaterials in carbon nanotube

Recent achievements in investigations of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) filled with ternary chalcohalides (antimony sulfoiodide (SbSI) and antimony selenoiodide (SbSeI)) are presented. Parameters of sonochemical encapsulation of nanocrystalline semiconducting ferroelectric SbSI-type materials in CNTs are reported. This low temperature technology is convenient, fast, efficient and environmentally friendly route for producing novel type of hybrid materials useful for nanodevices. Structure as well as optical and electrical properties of SbSI@CNTs and SbSeI@CNTs are described. Advantages of ultrasonic joining of such filled CNTs with metal microelectrodes are emphasized. The possible applications of these nanomaterials as gas sensors are shown.

Concentration and Fractionation of Polyphenols by Membrane Operations

BACKGROUND

This review aims to present the relevant background information and current research status in concentration of polyphenols using membrane technologies. The potential implementation of membrane separation to bioactive compounds like soluble phenolics from aqueous and organic solvent solutions is gaining increasing interest in the recent years. This review does not pretend to cover the abundant published literature on the subject, but to be representative for the observed tendencies in membrane processes applications for concentration of polyphenols derived from natural products. The first part of the article includes general information regarding the polyphenols and the traditional methods for their separation (such as: thin layer chromatography; paper chromatography; gas chromatography; high performance liquid chromatography; capillary electrophoresis), while the second part presents a review of different membrane processes applied for concentration of polyphenols. Three main sources for such implementations are discussed: (1) aqueous or organic solvent extracts from plant material, (2) fruits, and (3) recovery of polyphenols from industrial waste liquids. A diversity of membrane processes are considered in a large scope of implementations ranging from lab-scale studies to pilot and semiindustrial scale operations.

CONCLUSION

Membrane technology is an excellent candidate to make a paradigm shift in biological active compounds fractionation/separation processes. Presented results clearly demonstrate that membrane processes are of great advantages over traditionally used methods; however, characterization of separated polyphenols has to be improved. Most of citied authors concentrated their investigation only on the total amount of polyphenols determination. Exhaustive studies including: antioxidant activities, retention index, total soluble solids, or volume reduction factor, have been only carried out by a few authors.

Adenocarcinoma of the posterior segment of the gastrointestinal tract in dogs - clinical, endoscopic, histopathological and immunohistochemical findings

Of all the tumours in dogs, three percent are located in the intestines, and 36-60% of those tumours affect the large intestine. Adenocarcinomas of the intestines account for 20-35% of the gastrointestinal tumours and for almost 60% of the large intestine tumours. The aim of the study was to analyze clinical disorders and endoscopic, histopathological and immunohistochemical changes in colorectal adenocarcinomas in dogs with the use of the E-cadherin, β-catenin, cytokeratin 20 (CK20), Ki-67 and minichromosome maintenance 3 (MCM-3). The study comprised 11 dogs of both genders and of different breeds diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the large intestine. They were from 4 to 11 years old. The large intestine adenocarcinoma was diagnosed in all the patients. 72.7% cases were diagnosed with a rectal adenocarcinoma, and 27.3% were found to have a colonic adenocarcinoma. All the studied proteins were expressed at different levels and, together with the histological findings, indicated different levels of malignancy (G). The statistical analysis revealed no statistically significant differences between the expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin in the studied tissues (p=0.79) and between the expression of Ki-67 andMCM-3 (p=0.39). A strong positive correlation was found between the expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin (r=0.86; p<0.05). The diagnosis of adenocarcinomas of the large intestine may be facilitated by the introduction of immunohistochemical studies using appropriate cell markers. They may also aid in the accurate evaluation of the biological character of the tumours, their origin, the connections between tumour cells and the mitotic index. That, in turn, may help determine the malignancy and the choice of treatment.

Applications of silver nanoparticles stabilized and/or immobilized by polymer matrixes

Nanomaterials frequently possess unique and noticeably changed physical, chemical and biological properties compared to their macro scaled corresponding item. Utilization of nanoparticles habitually requires the construction of integrated chemical systems. Most popular of these are polymer-supported nanoparticles. In this review, we provide the reader with the last developments and breakthrough technologies concerning silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), one of the most comprehensively studied nanomaterials, considering the polymer types and processes used for the nanocomposite membranes preparation.

Expression of aquaporin 4 in the chicken ovary in relation to follicle development

In the mammalian ovary, aquaporins (AQPs) are thought to be involved in the regulation of fluid transport within the follicular wall and antrum formation. Data concerning the AQPs in the avian ovary is very limited. Therefore, the present study was designed to examine whether the AQP4 is present in the chicken ovary, and if so, what is its distribution in the ovarian compartment of the laying hen. Localization of AQP4 in the ovarian follicles at different stage of development was also investigated. After decapitation of hens the stroma with primordial follicles and white (1-4 mm), yellowish (4-8 mm), small yellow and the three largest yellow pre-ovulatory follicles F3-F1 (F3 < F2 < F1; 20-36 mm) were isolated from the ovary. The granulosa and theca layers were separated from the pre-ovulatory follicles. The AQP4 mRNA and protein were detected in all examined ovarian compartments by the real-time PCR and Western blot analyses, respectively. The relative expression of AQP4 was depended on follicular size and the layer of follicular wall. It was the lowest in the granulosa layer of pre-ovulatory follicles and the highest in the ovarian stroma as well as white and yellowish follicles. Along with approaching of the largest follicle to ovulation the gradual decrease in AQP4 protein level in the granulosa layer was observed. Immunoreactivity for AQP4 was present in the granulosa and theca cells (theca interna ≥ theca externa > granulosa). The obtained results suggest that AQP4 may take part in the regulation of water transport required for follicle development in the chicken ovary.

An immunohistochemical analysis of lymphocytic infiltrations in canine skin cancers

Lymphocytic infiltrations located in the extracellular matrix often accompany canine skin cancer. They can be characterised as an inflammatory infiltration and/or a second tumour - lymphoma. The aim of this study was an immunohistochemical analysis of a lymphocytic infiltration which accompanies spontaneous skin cancer. Twenty basal cell carcinoma, 20 non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma, 20 keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma and 8 sebaceous gland carcinoma samples which were accompanied by a lymphocytic infiltration and/or secondary lymphatic follicles were verified histopathologically. The expression of bcl-2, CD3, CD79α, Ki-67, MCM-3 and MCM-7 in the lymphocytic infiltration was evaluated. Four types of lymphocytic infiltrations were found: I - diffuse bcl-2+, II - diffuse bcl-2-, III - follicular bcl-2+/- where the centre was bcl-2-, and the marginal zone of the follicles and the extrafollicular area were bcl-2+ and IV - aggregated bcl-2+, where the centre and periphery were bcl-2+. The I and IV type corresponds to lymphoma, II type is non-neoplastic immune response and III type suggest reactive follicular hyperplasia. The proliferation of lymphocytes which demonstrated the expression of neoplastic markers (I and IV), suggests preneoplastic phase (pseudolymphoma) or lymphoma - the second independent tumour. A high proliferative index of the follicular blc-2+/- follicular infiltration indicates an increased immunological response of the host against skin cancer.

Prevalence of inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) in Poland from 2010-2014

This study investigated the prevalence of inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) infections during the past five years (2010-2014) in broiler chicken flocks in Poland. The diagnosis of IBH was based on anatomopathological investigations and histopathological analyzes. IBH was the most prevalent disease in broiler flocks in Poland (10.4%) during this time period, and occurred as a primary infection. The fewest cases of IBH occurred in the summer, suggesting that the temperature may have been a possible stressor that increased susceptibility to IBH. However, over the last 5 years the occurrence of clinical IBH cases in Poland has systematically decreased.

Cellular distribution of alkaloids and their translocation via phloem and xylem: the importance of compartment pH

The physico-chemical background of alkaloid allocation within plants is outlined and discussed exemplarily for pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) and nicotine. The trigger for this discourse is the finding that, for example, PAs, which are taken up from the soil, are translocated in the xylem, whereas - when genuinely present in plants - they are allocated as N-oxides via phloem. Special emphasis is put on the impact of different pH values in certain compartments, as this entails significant changes in the relative lipophilic character of alkaloids: tertiary alkaloids diffuse readily through biomembranes, while the corresponding protonated alkaloids are retained in acidic compartments, i.e. vacuoles or xylem. Therefore, this phenomenon, well known as the 'ion trap mechanism', is also relevant for long-distance transport of alkaloids. Any efficient allocation of typical tertiary alkaloids within the phloem can thus be excluded. In contrast, due to their strongly increased hydrophilic properties, alkaloid-N-oxides or quarternary alkaloids cannot diffuse through biomembranes and, consequently, would be retained in the acidic xylem during translocation. The major aim of this paper is to sharpen the mind for the chemical peculiarities of alkaloids and to consider them adequately in forthcoming investigations on allocation of alkaloids.

Infections in the tissue material and their impact on the loss of transplants in the Laboratory of in vitro Cell and Tissue Culture with Tissue Bank in the years 2011-2015

Radiation sterilization eliminates microbiological infections but causes the degradation of the cell factor. The negative result of microbiological examination for tissue transplants is one of the conditions for approval for distribution in patients. The study attempts to verify impact of the presence of microbes onto material for transplant loss. In the 2011-2015 period, we analyzed 293 donors of skin and amnion. Microbiological sampling was performed. The total of 21 strains of bacteria, molds and fungi was identified in collected tissue. The widest spectrum of strains was found in skin (17), followed by amnia (8). The total number of positive findings was 147 and was again highest in skin (129), while the number of positive findings in amnia was 18 only. The general percentage of fungal infections was very low. The presence of fungal strains was only observed in allogeneic skin (2%). Large number of microorganisms isolated from the skin before sterilization was observed, so it seems impossible to use allogeneic intravital skin. However, the intravital application of allogeneic amnion obtained from cesarean section remains to be considered.

Prototheca species and Pithomyces chartarum as Causative Agents of Rhinitis and/or Sinusitis in Horses

Pyogranulomatous rhinitis associated with an algal infection was diagnosed in a 25-year-old gelding and a 23-year-old mare had necrotizing sinusitis with intralesional algae and pigmented fungi. Algae were identified immunohistochemically in both cases as Prototheca spp. In the gelding, further characterization by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing revealed that the organism was Prototheca zopfii genotype 2. Fungi from the mare were identified as Pithomyces chartarum by molecular analysis. Prototheca species are achlorophyllous algae and P. chartarum represents a dematiaceous fungus; they are saprophytes and facultative pathogens. Prototheca spp. and P. chartarum should be considered as rare respiratory pathogens of horses.

Ultrasonic processing of SbSI nanowires for their application to gas sensors

Ultrasonic processing has been applied to create durable electrical contacts between antimony sulfoiodide (SbSI) nanowires and Au microelectrodes on glass substrate. After DC electric field alignment of SbSI nanowires between the microelectrodes, the sample was irradiated with ultrasound using chromium copper alloy sonotrode ended with silicon carbide (SiC) single crystal. The SEM and AFM investigations have showed that the ends of SbSI nanowires have been well compacted and bonded with microelectrodes. Ultrasonic processing has caused 420% increase of DC electric conductance of the junctions between Au microelectrodes and SbSI nanowires. The fabricated structures of SbSI nanowires bonded to Au microelectrodes are useful e.g. as nitrous oxide (N2O) gas sensors. These low power devices can operate at room temperature and do not require heating system for recovery.

Dental Benign Cementomas in Three Horses

Cementoma is a very rare odontogenic neoplasm of mesenchymal origin. Clinically, in 3 horses, multiple bony enlargements of the upper and lower jaw extending into the oral cavity were observed. Radiographically, multiple, well-circumscribed, radiopaque masses surrounding the roots of the upper and lower incisors or an upper premolar tooth were present. Due to malocclusion and local pain, single teeth were extracted in each case. Grossly, a hard grayish-white mass surrounding the root of the incisors and the premolars was identified. Histopathologically, the tumors consisted of excessive deposition of cementum-like tissue. Cells, resembling cementoblasts, lined irregularly shaped lacunae, which were present in the tumor tissue, and showed minimal cellular pleomorphism. Mitotic figures were not present. Macroscopically and histologically, all 3 equine cases displayed great similarities to cementomas in other species. However, due to their high degree of differentiation, hypercementosis must be considered as a differential diagnosis.