Cytokines from Bench to Bedside: A Retrospective Study Identifies a Definite Panel of Biomarkers to Early Assess the Risk of Negative Outcome in COVID-19 Patients

The main aim of this study was to identify the most relevant cytokines which, when assessed in the earliest stages from hospital admission, may help to select COVID-19 patients with worse prognosis. A retrospective observational study was conducted in 415 COVID-19 patients (272 males; mean age 68 ± 14 years) hospitalized between May 2020 and March 2021. Within the first 72 h from hospital admission, patients were tested for a large panel of biomarkers, including C-reactive protein (CRP), Mid-regional proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM), Interferon-γ, interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-1β, IL-8, IL-10, soluble IL2-receptor-α (sIL2Rα), IP10 and TNFα. Extensive statistical analyses were performed (correlations, t-tests, ranking tests and tree modeling). The mortality rate was 65/415 (15.7%) and a negative outcome (death and/or orotracheal intubation) affected 98/415 (23.6%) of cases. Univariate tests showed the majority of biomarkers increased in severe patients, but ranking tests helped to select the best variables to put on decisional tree modeling which identified IL-6 as the first dichotomic marker with a cut-off of 114 pg/mL. Then, a good synergy was found between IL-10, MR-proADM, sIL2Rα, IP10 and CRP in increasing the predictive value in classifying patients at risk or not for a negative outcome. In conclusion, beside IL-6, a panel of other cytokines representing the degree of immunoparalysis and the anti-inflammatory response (IP10, sIL2Rα and IL-10) showed synergic role when combined to biomarkers of systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction (CRP, MR-proADM) and may also better explain disease pathogenesis and suggests targeted intervention.     

Digital light processing stereolithography of hydroxyapatite scaffolds with bone-like architecture,permeability, and mechanical properties

This work deals with the additive manufacturing and characterization of hydroxyapatite scaffolds mimicking the trabecular architecture of cancellous bone. A novel approach was proposed relying on stereolithographic technology, which builds foam-like ceramic scaffolds by using three-dimensional (3D) micro-tomographic reconstructions of polymeric sponges as virtual templates for the manufacturing process. The layer-by-layer fabrication process involves the selective polymerization of a photocurable resin in which hydroxyapatite particles are homogeneously dispersed. Irradiation is performed by a dynamic mask that projects blue light onto the slurry. After sintering, highly-porous hydroxyapatite scaffolds (total porosity ~0.80, pore size 100-800 µm) replicating the 3D open-cell architecture of the polymeric template as well as spongy bone were obtained. Intrinsic permeability of scaffolds was determined by measuring laminar airflow alternating pressure wave drops and was found to be within 0.75-1.74 × 10⁻⁹ m², which is comparable to the range of human cancellous bone. Compressive tests were also carried out in order to determine the strength (~1.60 MPa), elastic modulus (~513 MPa) and Weibull modulus (m = 2.2) of the scaffolds. Overall, the fabrication strategy used to print hydroxyapatite scaffolds (tomographic imaging combined with digital mirror device [DMD]-based stereolithography) shows great promise for the development of porous bioceramics with bone-like architecture and mass transport properties.     

A critical review of bioceramics for magnetic hyperthermia

Magnetic hyperthermia (HT) using biocompatible ceramics is a ground-breaking, competent, and safe thermo-therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment. The magnetic properties of bioceramics, along with their structure and synthesis parameters, are responsible for the controlled heating of malignant tumors and are the key to clinical success. After providing a brief overview of magnetism and its significance in biomedicine, this review deals with materials selection and synthesis methods of bioceramics/glasses used for HT. Relevant research carried out on promising bioceramics for magnetic HT, with a focus on their size, shape, surface functionalization, magnetic field parameters, and in vitro/in vivo properties to optimize cancer therapy, is also discussed. Recent progress in magnetic HT combined with chemotherapy and phototherapy is especially highlighted, with the aim to provide interdisciplinary knowledge to advance further the applications of bioceramics in this field.     

Striped nanowires and nanorods from mixed SAMS

We investigate the use of mixed self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) for creating nanoscale striped patterns on nanowires and nanorods. Our simulations predict that SAMs comprised of an equal composition of length-mismatched, thermodynamically incompatible surfactants adsorbed on nanowire surfaces self-organize into equilibrium stripes of alternating composition always perpendicular, rather than parallel, to the nanowire axis. We support the simulation results with preliminary experimental investigations of gold nanorods coated with binary mixtures of ligand molecules, which show stripes roughly perpendicular to the rod axis in all cases.     

Easy detectable isocyanate in the reaction with gelatin

Gelatin reactivity with isocyanate was studied by using the easy detectable 1-naphthyl-isocyanate (NphI). Four different NphI/gelatin feed ratios were investigated with NphI molar amount ranging between 1/10 and 1/1 with respect to the possible reactive groups of gelatin. The reactions were carried out at 45 °C in DMSO as solvent, under nitrogen atmosphere. Modified gelatin samples were characterized by IR, UV–VIS, fluorescence spectroscopies as well as by proton and DOSY NMR. Spectroscopy results allow to evidence the presence of both bonded and unbonded naphthyl derivatives in the gelatin samples. Unbonded species were present particularly at the highest NphI/gelatin feed ratio and their formation was correlated to the increasing competition of the reaction with water since the amount of available reactive groups on gelatin was comparable or smaller than the amount of residuum water in dry gelatin.     

Deactivation of a Ni-Based Reforming Catalyst During the Upgrading of the Producer Gas, from Simulated to Real Conditions

The deactivation of a nickel reforming catalyst during the upgrading of the producer gas obtained by gasification of lignocellulosic biomass was studied. The research involved several steps: the selective deactivation of the catalyst in a laboratory scale; the streaming of the catalyst with the producer gas of a downdraft and an oxygen/steam circulating fluidized bed (CFB) gasifier; and tests in a reformer placed in a slipstream of the CFB gasifier. The information obtained allowed to elucidate the catalyst deactivation mechanisms taking place during the reforming of the producer gas: physical deactivation by deposition of fine ashes, aerosol particulate or carbon; poisoning by H₂S and HCl present in the gas phase and thermal sintering because of the high operation temperatures required to avoid the chemical deactivation. These physical and chemical effects depended on the composition of the biomass fuel.     

Structure, dynamics and interactions of complex sol-gel hybrid materials through SSNMR and DSC: Part II, ternary systems based on PE-PEG block copolymer, PHS and silica

This work is the second part of a study aimed at understanding in more depth structure, dynamics, interactions and correlations between morphology and barrier properties against oxygen diffusion of complex PE-PEG/PHS/SiO₂ hybrids prepared through a sol-gel process. Using a combined DSC and solid-state NMR approach, including ¹³C and ²⁹Si experiments and ¹H ultra-fast MAS spectra, the structural, phase and interaction properties of three PE-PEG/PHS/SiO₂ samples with different compositions, exhibiting different barrier performances, have been investigated, also taking into account the results obtained for the simpler one- and two-component systems (Part I). While the structure of the silica domains has been found to be not affected by composition, many differences have been observed concerning the phase and dynamic properties of the organic components (PE and PEG crystallinity and mobility of their amorphous domains) and the inter-component interactions (strength of the hydrogen bonds between PHS and both silica and PEG and PHS/PEG miscibility). In particular peculiar phase and interaction properties of the sample exhibiting the best barrier properties have been identified and characterized.     

Ytterbium Triflate Promoted One-Pot Three Component Synthesis of 3,4,5-Trisubstituted-3,6-dihydro-2<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>-1,3-oxazines

Abstract  

An efficient one-pot synthesis of 3,4,5-trisubstituted-3,6-dihydro-2H-1,3-oxazines from acetylene dicarboxylates, aromatic and aliphatic amines, and formaldehyde is described. The six member N,O-heterocyclic nucleus was constructed via Yb(OTf)₃ promoted domino hydroamination/Prins reaction/cyclization/dehydration reactions.