A cohort study reveals different dynamics of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody formation after Comirnaty and Vaxzevria vaccination

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Disease Pandemic, caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has affected millions of people worldwide, prompting a collective effort from the global scientific community to develop a vaccine against it. This study purports to investigate the influence of factors such as sex, age, type of vaccination (Comirnaty, BNT162b2, Pfizer Inc. or Vaxzevria, ChAdOx1-S, Oxford/AstraZeneca), and time since vaccine administration on the process of antibody production. Both of them are based on the introduction of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S protein) to the body using different mechanisms (mRNA and recombinant adenovirus, respectively). S protein is responsible for host cell attachment and penetration via its receptor-binding domain (RBD domain). The level of anti-RBD IgG antibodies was tested with an ELISA-based immunodiagnostic assay in serum samples from a total of 1395 patients at 3 time points: before vaccination, after the first dose, and after the second dose. Our novel statistical model, the Generalized Additive Model, revealed variability in antibody production dynamics for both vaccines. Interestingly, no discernible variation in antibody levels between men and women was found. A nonlinear relationship between age and antibody production was observed, characterized by decreased antibody levels for people up to 30 and over 60 years of age, with a lack of correlation in the middle age range. Collectively, our findings further the understanding of the mechanism driving vaccine-induced immunity. Additionally, we propose the Generalized Additive Model as a standardized way of presenting data in similar research.

Hyaluronic acid and multiwalled carbon nanotubes as bioink additives for cartilage tissue engineering

Articular cartilage and meniscus injuries are prevalent disorders with insufficient regeneration responses offered by available treatment methods. In this regard, 3D bioprinting has emerged as one of the most promising new technologies, offering novel treatment options. Additionally, the latest achievements from the fields of biomaterials and tissue engineering research identified constituents facilitating the creation of biocompatible scaffolds. In this study, we looked closer at hyaluronic acid and multi-walled carbon nanotubes as bioink additives. Firstly, we assessed the minimal concentrations that stimulate cell viability, and decrease reactive oxygen species and apoptosis levels in 2D cell cultures of normal human knee articular chondrocytes (NHAC) and human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC-AT). In this regard, 0.25 mg/ml of hyaluronic acid and 0.0625 mg/ml of carbon nanotubes were selected as the most optimal concentrations. In addition, we investigated the protective influence of 2-phospho-L-ascorbic acid in samples with carbon nanotubes. Tests conducted on 3D bioprinted constructs revealed that only a combination of components positively impacted cell viability throughout the whole experiment. Gene expression analysis of COL1A1, COL6A1, HIF1A, COMP, RUNX2, and POU5F1 showed significant changes in the expression of all analyzed genes with a progressive overall loss of transcriptional activity in most of them.

Photodegradation of Biohazardous Dye Brilliant Blue R Using Organometallic Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized through a Green Chemistry Method

Simple Summary

In the paper, we utilize silver nanoparticles as a catalyst in the degradation of a hazardous dye. The nanoparticles are formed from the simple silver salt by using only a plant extract from a commonly occurring herb. The plant extract contains compounds that can both reduce the silver salt and subsequently cap the surface of the as-prepared particles. There are many environmental advantages to using such an approach—nanoparticles are prepared by using simple green chemistry and the catalytic degradation of dye is carried out by sunlight energy. Such a method can be used as a very cheap, green method to neutralize hazardous substances in-house.

Abstract

Nowadays, nanostructures having tremendous chemical and physical properties are gaining attention in the biomedical industry. However, when they are prepared through classical methods (physical and chemical), they are often non-biocompatible and toxic. Considering the mentioned factors, in this research, organometallic silver nanostructures (OMAgNs) have been prepared by the green chemistry method using the acetone, methanol, and methanol-hexane-based extracts of the medicinally important plant Cichorium intybus. Secondary metabolites from C. intybus can be used as an alternative to synthetic reagents at an industrial scale to manufacture biosafe and economical nanostructures with enhanced physicochemical parameters. Prepared nanostructures were characterized using SEM, XRD, FTIR, TGA, UV, and zeta potential measurement. SEM analysis revealed different shapes of OMAgNs, prepared with various extracts. XRD analysis showed the crystallinity of the nanostructures. FTIR spectroscopy helped to identify groups of compounds present in the extracts and used for the OMAgNs synthesis. Out of the three tested OMAgNs, those prepared with methanol extract were selected due to the highest obtained yield and stability (highest negative zeta potential) and were tested as a cost-efficient and active agent to photodegrade organic pollutant, Brilliant Blue R, using energy from sunlight. A decrease in UV-VIS absorbance confirmed the rapid degradation of the dye.

Utilization of Carbon Nanotubes in Manufacturing of 3D Cartilage and Bone Scaffolds

Cartilage and bone injuries are prevalent ailments, affecting the quality of life of injured patients. Current methods of treatment are often imperfect and pose the risk of complications in the long term. Therefore, tissue engineering is a rapidly developing branch of science, which aims at discovering effective ways of replacing or repairing damaged tissues with the use of scaffolds. However, both cartilage and bone owe their exceptional mechanical properties to their complex ultrastructure, which is very difficult to reproduce artificially. To address this issue, nanotechnology was employed. One of the most promising nanomaterials in this respect is carbon nanotubes, due to their exceptional physico-chemical properties, which are similar to collagens-the main component of the extracellular matrix of these tissues. This review covers the important aspects of 3D scaffold development and sums up the existing research tackling the challenges of scaffold design. Moreover, carbon nanotubes-reinforced bone and cartilage scaffolds manufactured using the 3D bioprinting technique will be discussed as a novel tool that could facilitate the achievement of more biomimetic structures.