Background: Observational studies made it possible to assess the impact of risk factors on the long-term effectiveness of mRNA and adenoviral vector (AdV) vaccines against COVID-19. Methods: A computerized literature search was undertaken using the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and MedRxiv databases to identify eligible studies, with no language restrictions, published up to 28 February 2022. Eligible were observational studies assessing vaccine effectiveness (VE) by disease severity with reference groups of unvaccinated participants or participants immunized with one, two, or three vaccine doses. Our study was carried out in compliance with the PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines. The risk of study bias was identified using the Newcastle–Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. The GRADE guidelines were applied to assess the strength of evidence for the primary outcome. The synthesis was conducted using a meta-analysis and meta-regression. Results: Out of a total of 14,155 publications, 290 studies were included. Early VE of full vaccination against COVID-19 of any symptomatology and severity decreased from 96% (95% CI, 95–96%) for mRNA and from 86% (95% CI, 83–89%) for AdV vaccines to 67% for both vaccine types in the last 2 months of 2021. A similar 1-year decline from 98 to 86% was found for severe COVID-19 after full immunization with mRNA, but not with AdV vaccines providing persistent 82–87% effectiveness. Variant-reduced VE was only associated with Omicron regardless of disease severity, vaccine type, or vaccination completeness. The level of protection was reduced in participants aged >65 years, with a comorbidity or those in long-term care or residential homes independently of the number of doses received. The booster effect of the third mRNA dose was unclear because incompletely restored effectiveness, regardless of disease severity, declined within a short-term interval of 4 months. Conclusions: Full vaccination provided an early high, yet waning level of protection against COVID-19 of any severity with a strong impact on the high-risk population. Moreover, the potential risk of new antigenically distinct variants should not be underestimated, and any future immunization strategy should include variant-updated vaccines.

The physical and chemical properties of the material surface, especially its roughness and wettability, have a crucial effect on the adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation of cells. The aim of this study is to select the most appropriate surface modifications of Ti6Al4V implants for pre-colonization of the implants with adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) in order to improve their osseointegration. We compared the adhesion, growth, and osteogenic differentiation of rat ASCs on Ti6Al4V samples modified by methods commonly used for preparing clinically used titanium-based implants, namely polishing (PL), coating with diamond-like carbon (DLC), brushing (BR), anodizing (AND), and blasting (BL). The material surface roughness, measured by the Ra and Rq parameters, increased in the following order: PL < DLC ˂ BR ˂ AND ˂ BL. The water drop contact angle was in the range of 60–74°, with the exception of the DLC-coated samples, where it was only 38°. The cell number, morphology, mitochondrial activity, relative fluorescence intensity of osteogenic markers RUNX2, type 1 collagen, and osteopontin, the calcium consumption by the cells and the alkaline phosphatase activity depended on the surface roughness rather than on the surface wettability of the materials. Materials with a surface roughness of several tens of nanometers (Ra 60–70 nm), i.e., the BR and AND samples, supported a satisfactory level of cell proliferation. At the same time, they achieved the highest level of osteogenic cell differentiation. These surface modifications therefore seem to be most suitable for pre-colonization of Ti6Al4V implants with stem cells pre-differentiated toward osteoblasts, and then for implanting them into the bone tissue.

(1) Background: Decellularized xenogeneic tissues are promising matrices for developing tissue-engineered cardiovascular grafts. In vitro recellularization of these tissues with stromal cells can provide a better in vivo remodelling and a lower thrombogenicity of the graft. The process of recellularization can be accelerated using a cultivation bioreactor simulating physiological conditions and stimuli. (2) Methods: Porcine pericardium was decellularized using a custom-built decellularization system with an optimized protocol. Autologous porcine adipose-derived stromal cells (PrASCs), isolated from the subcutaneous fat tissue, were used for recellularizing the decellularized pericardium. A custom cultivation bioreactor allowing the fixing of the decellularized tissue into a special cultivation chamber was created. The bioreactor maintained micro-perfusion and pulsatile pressure stimulation in order to promote the ingrowth of PrASCs inside the tissue and their differentiation. (3) Results: The dynamic cultivation promoted the ingrowth of cells into the decellularized tissue. Under static conditions, the cells penetrated only to the depth of 50 µm, whereas under dynamic conditions, the tissue was colonized up to 250 µm. The dynamic cultivation also supported the cell differentiation towards smooth muscle cells (SMCs). In order to ensure homogeneous cell colonization of the decellularized matrices, the bioreactor was designed to allow seeding of the cells from both sides of the tissue prior to the stimulation. In this case, the decellularized tissue was recolonized with cells within 5 days of dynamic cultivation. (4) Conclusions: Our newly designed dynamic bioreactor markedly accelerated the colonization of decellularized pericardium with ASCs and cell differentiation towards the SMC phenotype.

Background: Our research compared whole pelvic (WP) and prostate-only (PO) 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) techniques in terms of the incidence and evolution of acute and late toxicity of the rectum and urinary bladder, and identified the PTV-parameters influencing these damages and changes in antitumor immune response.Methods: We analyzed 197 prostate cancer patients undergoing 3DCRT for gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) toxicities, and conducted a pilot immunological study including flow cytometry and an NK cell cytotoxicity assay. Acute and late toxicities were recorded according to the RTOG and the LENT-SOMA scales, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted for factors associated with toxicity.Results: In the WP group, an increase of acute rectal toxicity was observed. A higher incidence of late GI/GU toxicity appeared in the PO group. Only 18 patients (WP-7.76% and PO-11.11%) suffered severe late GI toxicity, and 26 patients (WP-11.21% and PO-16.05%) severe late GU toxicity. In the majority of acute toxicity suffering patients, the diminution of late GI/GU toxicity to grade 1 or to no toxicity after radiotherapy was observed. The 3DCRT technique itself, patient age, T stage of TNM classification, surgical intervention, and some dose-volume parameters emerged as important factors in the probability of developing acute and late GI/GU toxicity. The proportion and differentiation of NK cells positively correlated during 3DCRT and negatively so after its completion with dose-volumes of the rectum and urinary bladder. T and NKT cells were down-regulated throughout the whole period. We found a negative correlation between leukocyte numbers and bone marrow irradiated by 44-54 Gy and a positive one for NK cell proportion and doses of 5-25 Gy. The acute GU, late GU, and GI toxicities up-regulated the T cell (CTL) numbers and NK cytotoxicity.Conclusion: Our study demonstrates the association of acute and late damage of the urinary bladder and rectum, with clinical and treatment related factors. The 3DCRT itself does not induce the late GI or GU toxicity and rather reduces the risk of transition from acute to late toxicity. We have described for the first time the correlation between organs at risk, dose-volume parameters, and the immunological profile.

Chronic wounds represent a significant socio-economic problem, and the improvement of their healing is therefore an essential issue. This paper describes the preparation and biological properties of a novel functionalized nanofiber wound dressing consisting of a polycaprolactone nanofiber carrier modified by a drug delivery system, based on the lipid particles formed by 1-tetradecanol and encapsulated gentamicin and tocopherol acetate. The cytotoxicity of extracts was tested using a metabolic activity assay, and the antibacterial properties of the extracts were tested in vitro on the bacterial strains Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The effect of the wound dressing on chronic wound healing was subsequently tested using a mouse model. Fourteen days after surgery, the groups treated by the examined wound cover showed a lower granulation, reepithelization, and inflammation score compared to both the uninfected groups, a lower dermis organization compared to the control, a higher scar thickness compared to the other groups, and a higher thickness of hypodermis and bacteria score compared to both the uninfected groups. This work demonstrates the basic parameters of the safety (biocompatibility) and performance (effect on healing) of the dressing as a medical device and indicates the feasibility of the concept of its preparation in outpatient conditions using a suitable functionalization device.

The paper explores the quantities and units used in radiation protection with special emphasis on their applications in occupational exposure control. An overview of the current situation reveals that there seem to be too many different quantities associated with the same unit. Some of these quantities are defined in a quite complicated manner and, therefore, may cause some confusion in their interpretation and practical use in the field. Some suggestions towards the simplification of the present system are also proposed.