In parallel to the Th1/Th2 paradigm, antigen-presenting cells (APC) are divided into classically activated APC (dendritic cells/effector macrophages) and alternatively activated APC (IL-4-induced, alternatively activated macrophages/IL-10-induced, immature dendritic cells). Alternatively activated APC share a special molecular repertoire including receptors of innate immunity with broad specificity for foreign antigen and anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1Ra and alternative macrophage activation-associated CC-chemokine-1. Alternatively activated APC mediated tolerance and downregulated inflammation. Abuse of alternatively activated APC in support of infectious susceptibility or tumor immune escape is counteracted by the classical pathway. Thus, classically and alternatively activated APC secure the balance between proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory immune reactions.

The creation of functional muscles/muscle tissue from human stem cells is a major goal of skeletal muscle tissue engineering. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from fat/adipose tissue (AT-MSCs), as well as bone marrow (BM-MSCs) have been shown to bear myogenic potential, which makes them candidate stem cells for skeletal muscle tissue engineering applications. The aim of this study was to analyse the myogenic differentiation potential of human AT-MSCs and BM-MSCs cultured in six different cell culture media containing different mixtures of growth factors. The following cell culture media were used in our experiments: mesenchymal stem cell growth medium (MSCGM)™ as growth medium, MSCGM + 5-azacytidine (5-Aza), skeletal muscle myoblast cell growth medium (SkGM)-2 BulletKit™, and 5, 30 and 50% conditioned cell culture media, i.e., supernatant of human satellite cell cultures after three days in cell culture mixed with MSCGM. Following the incubation of human AT-MSCs or BM-MSCs for 0, 4, 8, 11, 16 or 21 days with each of the cell culture media, cell proliferation was measured using the alamarBlue® assay. Myogenic differentiation was evaluated by quantitative gene expression analyses, using quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) and immunocytochemical staining (ICC), using well-defined skeletal markers, such as desmin (DES), myogenic factor 5 (MYF5), myosin, heavy chain 8, skeletal muscle, perinatal (MYH8), myosin, heavy chain 1, skeletal muscle, adult (MYH1) and skeletal muscle actin-α1 (ACTA1). The highest proliferation rates were observed in the AT-MSCs and BM-MSCs cultured with SkGM-2 BulletKit medium. The average proliferation rate was higher in the AT-MSCs than in the BM-MSCs, taking all six culture media into account. qRT-PCR revealed the expression levels of the myogenic markers, ACTA1, MYH1 and MYH8, in the AT-MSC cell cultures, but not in the BM-MSC cultures. The muscle-specific intermediate filament, DES, was only detected (by ICC) in the AT-MSCs, but not in the BM-MSCs. The strongest DES expression was observed using the 30% conditioned cell culture medium. The detection of myogenic markers using different cell culture media as stimuli was only achieved in the AT-MSCs, but not in the BM-MSCs. The strongest myogenic differentiation, in terms of the markers examined, was induced by the 30% conditioned cell culture medium.

BackgroundAfter tracheostomy, the airway lacks an essential mechanism for warming and humidifying the inspired air with the consequent functional impairment and discomfort. The purpose of this study was to compare airway hydration with cold‐air nebulization versus heated high‐flow humidification on medical interventions and tracheal ciliary beat frequency (CBF).MethodsNewly tracheostomized patients (n = 20) were treated either with cold‐air nebulization or heated humidification. The number of required tracheal suctioning procedures to clean the trachea and tracheal CBF were assessed.ResultsThe number of required suctions per day was significantly lower in the heated humidification group with medians 3 versus 5 times per day. Mean CBF was significantly higher in the heated humidification group (6.36 ± 1.49 Hz) compared to the cold‐air nebulization group (3.99 ± 1.39 Hz).ConclusionThe data suggest that heated humidification enhanced mucociliary transport leading to a reduced number of required suctioning procedures in the trachea, which may improve postoperative patient care.

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Independent of airway humidification, nCPAP has moderate effects on short-term ciliary function of the nasal respiratory epithelium. However, a significant increase in ciliary function-both in terms of an increased CBF and a decreased MTT-was detected after long-term use. The effect was more pronounced when humidification was used during nCPAP.

Abstract. Tissue engineering is a promising research field, which aims to create new functional muscle tissue in vitro, by utilizing the myogenic differentiation potential of human stem cells. The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of static magnetic fields (SMF), combined with the use of the myogenic differentiation enhancing hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), on human satellite cell cultures, which are one of the preferred stem cell sources in skeletal muscle tissue engineering. We performed almarBlue ® proliferation assays and semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the following myogenic markers: desmin (DES), myogenic factor 5 (MYF5), myogenic differentiation antigen 1 (MYOD1), myogenin (MYOG), myosin heavy chain (MYH) and α1 actin (ACTA1) to detect the effects on myogenic maturation. Additionally, immunohistochemical staining (ICC) and fusion index (FI) determination as independent markers of differentiation were performed on satellite cell cultures stimulated with HGF and HGF + SMF with an intensity of 80 mT. ICC verified the muscle phenotype at all time points. SMF enhanced the proliferation of satellite cell cultures treated with HGF. RT-PCR analysis, ICC and FI calculation revealed the effects of HGF/SMF on the investigated differentiation markers and stimulation with HGF and SMF verified the continuing maturation, however no significant increase in analysed markers could be detected when compared with control cultures treated with serum cessation. In conclusion, HGF or HGF + SMF stimulation of human satellite cell cultures did not lead to the desired enhancement of myogenic maturation of human satellite cell cultures compared with cell cultures stimulated with growth factor reduction.

In ENT, polyhexanide-containing solutions are used to treat nasal infections caused by multiresistant bacteria like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Many forms of commercial nasal solutions containing polyhexanide exist, such as gels or solutions for topical use. Data regarding the influence of polyhexanide on ciliary beat frequency (CBF) are lacking to date. We tested the CBF of nasal ciliated epithelial cells under the influence of a commercially available polyhexanide-containing solution (Lavasept(®) Concentrate) in a therapeutic concentration (0.04, 0.02%). In addition, we tested the concentrations of 0.1 and 0.01%. Cells were visualized with a phase contrast microscope, and the CBF was measured with the SAVA system's region of interest method. Ringer's solution and macrogol served as negative controls. A therapeutic concentration of Lavasept significantly reduced CBF in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. After 1 min, the CBF was reduced from 8.90 ± 1.64 to 5.00 ± 3.72 Hz with a concentration of 0.04% (p value = 0.001). After 10 min, all cilia stopped beating. After 5 min, a 0.02% solution of Lavasept concentrate decreased CBF significantly from 8.64 ± 1.71 to 3.30 ± 3.27 Hz (p value < 0.001). In conclusion, CBF of human nasal epithelia is significantly reduced with the use of the polyhexanide-containing solution Lavasept in some therapeutic concentrations. Due to our findings in this study, Lavasept should be used on ciliated mucosa only with caution and in a concentration of 0.02%.

Objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder, which is associated with recurrent oxygen desaturation during sleep. It has already been shown that nocturnal hypoxia may lead to cochlear dysfunction in patients with OSA. Less is known whether hypoxia during sleep also impacts vestibular function in those patients. Thus, the aim of the presented study was to assess a potential vestibulotoxic effect of nightly desaturations with hypoxia in patients with OSA by investigating a possible correlation between respiratory parameters and vestibular function tests. Methods: A total of 56 patients were included in the study and underwent a fully attended cardiorespiratory polysomnography (PSG). Vestibular function was assessed using video head impulse test to evaluate horizontal semicircular canal function and cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMPs) and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (oVEMPs) to measure otolith function. Descriptive data analysis was conducted and correlation analysis between selected PSG parameters and the results of vestibular testing was performed using Kendall τ coefficient. Results: A significant correlation between vestibular function and respiratory polysomnographic parameters could not be demonstrated in the study ( P > .05) but cVEMP and oVEMP results showed a trend toward a correlation with oxygen desaturation indices and apnea–hypopnea index. Additionally, otolith hypofunction was more prevalent in patients with hypertension as well as OSA. Conclusion: The results of our study show that there is no significant correlation between vestibular function and sleep apnea parameters, although otolith dysfunction might be more prevalent in patients with OSA and hypertension.