Pre-Clinical Investigations of the Pharmacodynamics of Immunogenic Smart Radiotherapy Biomaterials (iSRB)

The use of an immunogenic smart radiotherapy biomaterial (iSRB) for the delivery of anti-CD40 is effective in treating different cancers in animal models. This study further characterizes the use of iSRBs to evaluate any associated toxicity in healthy C57BL6 mice. iSRBs were fabricated using a poly-lactic-co-glycolic-acid (PLGA) polymer mixed with titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles incorporated into its matrix. Animal studies included investigations of freely injected anti-CD40, anti-CD40-loaded iSRBs, unloaded iSRBs and control (healthy) animal cohorts. Mice were euthanized at pre-determined time points post-treatment to evaluate the serum chemistry pertaining to kidney and liver toxicity and cell blood count parameters, as well as pathology reports on organs of interest. Results showed comparable liver and kidney function in all cohorts. The results indicate that using iSRBs with or without anti-CD40 does not result in any significant toxicity compared to healthy untreated animals. The findings provide a useful reference for further studies aimed at optimizing the therapeutic efficacy and safety of iSRBs and further clinical translation work.

Peritoneal lavage in penetrating thoracic trauma

Fifty-one patients with penetrating wounds of the thorax at or below the 4th intercostal space were evaluated with peritoneal aspiration and lavage. Nineteen gunshot wound and 32 stab wounds were studied and there was a 22% incidence of diaphragmatic penetration and/or intra-abdominal injury. There were ten true positive and one false positive study. There were 39 true negative and one false negative lavage. Peritoneal aspiration and lavage is a test of high sensitivity (91%) and specificity (98%). It has proven to be a useful screening technique in patients with penetrating wounds of the thorax. Peritoneal aspiration and lavage identify the patients with diaphragmatic penetration and intra-abdominal injury and minimize negative exploration.

Are there any important predicting factors of renal function during hypothermic pulsatile perfusion for transplantation?

Fifty perfused cadaver kidneys transplanted in this institution were statistically analyzed with an IBM computer to determine the most important prognostic factors in long-term actual function, namely, the kidney donor warm ischemia, length of preservation, the perfusion characteristics (flow, pressure, perfusate gases, and occasionally electrolytes and osmolarity), and the recipient's response and clinical history (age, sex, race, original renal disease, HLA-antigen matching, number of transplants, number of rejection episodes, kidney function, final outcome, etc.). Although we found no significant (P greater than 0.05) correlation between graft survival and the parameters studied, high perfusate flow appeared to have an important beneficial effect on long-term graft function. Other prognostic indicators of posttransplantation renal function were not clearly seen in our study. It is important to mention that although no significant (P greater than 0.05) differences were seen, patients without diabetes mellitus, first cadaver kidney transplants, and more than two HLA-antigen matches did better than the group without these characteristics.