Role of active nanoliposomes in the surface and bulk mechanical properties of hybrid hydrogels.

Nanoliposomes are widely used as delivery vehicles for active compounds. Nanoliposomes from rapeseed phospholipids were incorporated into interpenetrating polymer network hydrogels of gelatin methacryloyl and alginate. The multiscale physicochemical properties of the hydrogels are studied both on the surface and through the thickness of the 3D network. The obtained composite hydrogels exhibited strong mechanical properties and a highly porous surface. The blend ratio, as well as the concentration of nanoliposomes, affects the properties of the hydrogels. Nanofunctionalized hydrogels induced keratinocyte â€‹growth. These advantageous characteristics may open up many applications of the developed hydrogels in drug delivery and tissue engineering.

Purification and functional analysis of the DnaK homologue from Prevotella intermedia OMZ 326.

This study examined heat shock proteins (hsps) of the periodontal pathogen Prevotella intermedia and the closely related species, Prevotella nigrescens and Prevotella corporis. After heat shock at 45 degrees C for 5 min, cell-free extracts were analysed by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting with polyclonal antibodies against Escherichia coli hsps. P. intermedia, P. nigrescens and P. corporis all expressed a DnaK homologue. The P. nigrescens DnaK was of a similar molecular mass to E. coli DnaK (70 kDa), whilst those of P. intermedia and P. corporis were approximately 69 kDa. DnaJ homologues were expressed in each species; however, no homologue of GrpE was detected. P. intermedia DnaK was purified to homogeneity by ion-exchange and affinity-chromatography, and was shown to restore activity of denatured luciferase. This molecular chaperone activity was enhanced by E. coli DnaJ and GrpE which are components of the Hsp70 molecular chaperone machine.

Partial mole and triploidy: screening patients with first-trimester spontaneous abortion.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of histopathology in the categorization of women at risk of trophoblastic disease after early pregnancy failure associated with triploidy. METHOD: A retrospective study of histopathologic findings on 587 first-trimester spontaneous abortions for which both histologic and karyotype results were available. The incidence of chromosomal abnormalities and placental molar changes and the proportion of agreement for histologic diagnosis of triploidy were calculated. RESULTS: An abnormal chromosome complement was found in 241 (41.1%) cases, including 75 (31.1%) with trisomy, 71 (29.5%) with triploidy, 60 (24.9%) with monosomy X, and 35 with other abnormalities. Molar transformations were found macroscopically in 20 triploidies, in six spontaneous abortions with a normal karyotype, in one trisomy, in one monosomy X, and in one tetraploidy. There was one complete hydatidiform mole. Complete agreement between two investigators was seen in 48 (67.6%) triploidy cases. Inter- and intra-observer degree of agreement for histologic diagnosis of triploidy was good to excellent. The sensitivity of histology ranged between 87.3 and 94.4%, the specificity between 81.7 and 85.9%, the positive predictive value between 83.1 and 86.1%, and the negative predictive value between 86.8 and 93.8%. CONCLUSION: Triploidy is associated with molar changes less often in the first trimester of pregnancy than in the second or third trimester. Therefore, most triploid spontaneous abortions escape detection on the basis of ultrasound or macroscopic examination. The use of standardized criteria for detection by microscopic examination is both accurate and reproducible and should play a pivotal role in screening for women at risk of persistent gestational trophoblastic disease.

[Fetomaternal alloimmunization: role of cordocentesis]. / Alloimmunisation foeto-maternelle: rôle de la cordocentèse.

Twenty one pregnancies complicated by alloimmunization were managed by the use of intravascular method on an outpatient basis. One group was made of 9 women having had at least one pregnancy with a severely affected fetus. The other group was composed of 12 women without a previously affected infant; in 5 cases a situation at risk, either a transfusion (4 cases) or a severe obstetrical hemorrhage (1 case), was evidenced. Knowledge of fetal blood type (2 cases) and hematocrit determination obtained by fetal blood sampling allowed treatment individualized to the specific needs of each patient. In total 59 cordocenteses were performed, including 19 intrauterine transfusions.