BACKGROUND Bacteremic pneumonia is considered a potential cause of distal organ abscess formation. Therefore, we hypothesize that pneumonia is a risk factor for pyogenic liver abscess (PLA).The aim of this study is to explore the association between pneumonia and PLA. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS A nationwide, population-based, nested, case-control study was conducted using data from the Ta...

Bioinspired free-standing nanomembranes (FSNMs) for selective ion transport have been tailored by immobilizing the Omp2a β-barrel membrane protein inside nanoperforations created in flexible poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanomembranes. Perforated PLA FSNMs have been prepared by spin-coating a 99 : 1 PLA : poly(vinyl alcohol) mixture, and through a phase segregation process nanofeatures with dimension...

Activation of mucosal immunity is a key milestone for next-generation vaccine development. Biocompatible polymer-based nanoparticles (NPs) are promising vectors and adjuvants for mucosal vaccination. However, their in vivo uptake by mucosae and their biodistribution in antigen-presenting cells (APCs) need to be better understood to optimize mucosal nanovaccine designs. Here, we assessed if APCs...

Hybrid nanocolloids based on biodegradable polymers of poly(lactide) (PLA) or poly(lactide)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (PLA-PEG) and hydrophobic iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) of ca. 5 nm are prepared via a self-assembly route. The magnetic nanoparticles are organized in superclusters inside the hydrophobic core of PLA-PEG micelles or cholate-stabilized PLA nanospheres. The hydrodyna...

BACKGROUND Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A(2) (Lp-PLA(2)) is a proinflammatory enzyme bound to low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and other circulating lipoproteins. Two measures of Lp-PLA(2), mass and activity, are associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Data are sparse regarding genetic determinants of Lp-PLA(2) mass and activity, and no prior data are available addressing gene...

Myotoxic phospholipases A₂ (PLA₂) are responsible for many clinical manifestations in envenomation by Bothrops snakes. A new myotoxic acidic Asp49 PLA₂ (BaCol PLA₂) was isolated from Colombian Bothrops asper venom using reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). BaCol PLA₂ had a molecular mass of 14,180.69 Da (by mass spectrometry) and an isoelectric point of 4.4. The compl...

The study objective was to determine the mechanical integrity and radiopacity of regenerated bone within critical-sized defects (CSDs) in radii of rabbits using recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2) with a porous, biodegradable poly(D,L-lactic acid) (PDLLA) carrier (designated PLA). Twenty millimeter, unilateral radial ostectomies were created in 96 skeletally mature New Zeal...

Electronegative low density lipoprotein (LDL(-)) formation that structurally resembles LDL(-) isolated from plasma was evaluated after LDL treatment with snake venom phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)). PLA(2) treatment of LDL increased its electrophoretic mobility in proportion to the amount of LDL(-) formed without evidence of lipid peroxidation. These changes dose-dependently correlated with the deg...