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ABSTRACT Purpose: To characterize the extracellular vesicle protein cargo in the aqueous humor and plasma of patients with ocular toxoplasmosis. Methods: Aqueous humor and plasma were collected from six patients with active ocular toxoplasmosis and six patients with cataract. Extracellular vesicles were isolated, and western blotting and mass spectrometry were performed for protein analysis. Results: All plasma samples from patients with ocular toxoplasmosis and cataract were positive for the tetraspanins CD63 and TSG101. However, the aqueous humor from patients with ocular toxoplasmosis was positive only for CD63. Sixty-seven new unreported proteins were identified in the aqueous humor and plasma of patients with the ocular toxoplasmosis and cataract. Of the 67 proteins, 10 and 7 were found only in the cataract and ocular toxoplasmosis groups, respectively. In general, these proteins were involved in immune system activation and retina homeostasis and were related to infections and retina-associated diseases. Conclusion: The distinct protein signatures between ocular toxoplasmosis and cataract may be helpful in the differential diagnosis of ocular toxoplasmosis. However, more studies are needed to better understand the role of these proteins in the pathogenesis of ocular toxoplasmosis.

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In this study, non-thermal plasma (NTP) was employed to modify the Cu/TiO2 adsorbent to efficiently purify H2S in low-temperature and micro-oxygen environments. The effects of Cu loading amounts and atmospheres of NTP treatment on the adsorption-oxidation performance of the adsorbents were investigated. The NTP modification successfully boosted the H2S removal capacity to varying degrees, and the optimized adsorbent treated by air plasma (Cu/TiO2-Air) attained the best H2S breakthrough capacity of 113.29 mg H2S/gadsorbent, which was almost 5 times higher than that of the adsorbent without NTP modification. Further studies demonstrated that the superior performance of Cu/TiO2-Air was attributed to increased mesoporous volume, more exposure of active sites (CuO) and functional groups (amino groups and hydroxyl groups), enhanced Ti-O-Cu interaction, and the favorable ratio of active oxygen species. Additionally, the X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results indicated the main reason for the deactivation was the consumption of the active components (CuO) and the agglomeration of reaction products (CuS and SO42-) occupying the active sites on the surface and the inner pores of the adsorbents.

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BACKGROUND: Platelet contains growth factors that enhance tissue repair mechanisms, including epidermal growth factor (EGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-AA and -AB), and transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß. Autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been shown to significantly improve the treatment of tendon injuries compared with hyaluronic acid and placebo. The topic of agreement between platelet concentrations and growth factors has been covered in some previous studies, but growth factor levels did not correlate well with platelet concentrations. METHOD: In this study, autologous PRP was prepared by concentrating platelets through a J6-MI centrifuge. The automatic hematology analyzer Sysmex XN-20 was used to analyze the platelet concentration in PRP, and the PRP growth factors were determined by ELISA, including PDGF, transforming growth factor- ß1 (TGF-ß1), and EGF. Statistical analysis was conducted on data from 107 patients who received autologous PRP using Pearson correlation analysis. RESULTS: Pearson correlation analysis revealed PDGF, TGF, and EGF had a strong positive correlation with the platelet concentration of the final PRP product (r = 0.697, p < 0.0001; r = 0.488, p < 0.0001; r = 0.572, p < 0.0001, respectively) CONCLUSIONS: There was a strong positive correlation between the concentration of platelets in the final PRP product and the levels of PDGF-AB, TGF-ß, and EGF. These results suggested straightforward and cost-effective growth factor tests can provide valuable information about platelet content in PRP.

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As the most prominent and ideal modality in female fertility preservation, ovarian tissue cryopreservation, and transplantation often confront the challenge of ischemic damage and follicular loss from avascular transplantation. To surmount this impediment, we engineered a novel platelet-derived factors-encapsulated fibrin hydrogel (PFH), a paradigmatic biomaterial. PFH encapsulates autologous platelet-derived factors, utilizing the physiological blood coagulation cascade for precise local delivery of bioactive molecules. In our study, PFH markedly bolstered the success of avascular ovarian tissue transplantation. Notably, the quantity and quality of follicles were preserved with improved neovascularization, accompanied by decreased DNA damage, increased ovulation, and superior embryonic development rates under a Low-concentration Platelet-rich plasma-derived factors encapsulated fibrin hydrogel (L-PFH) regimen. At a stabilized point of tissue engraftment, gene expression analysis mirrored normal ovarian tissue profiles, underscoring the effectiveness of L-PFH in mitigating the initial ischemic insult. This autologous blood-derived biomaterial, inspired by nature, capitalizes on the blood coagulation cascade, and combines biodegradability, biocompatibility, safety, and cost-effectiveness. The adjustable properties of this biomaterial, even in injectable form, extend its potential applications into the broader realm of personalized regenerative medicine. PFH emerges as a promising strategy to counter ischemic damage in tissue transplantation, signifying a broader therapeutic prospect. (197 words).

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Background and aims: Acute liver failure (ALF) is a condition that mostly requires Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission and sometimes necessitates emergency liver transplantation. High-volume plasma exchange (HVPE) may improve transplant-free survival (TFS) in ALF. Our study assessed complications of HVPE therapy and outcome in ALF patients. Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective study of all patients admitted to the ICU for ALF and who underwent HVPE between June 2016 and June 2021. The plasmapheresis technique used was centrifugation, and the volume exchanged was calculated as 15% of the ideal body weight. Dedicated staff prospectively collected clinical adverse effects, while biological data were retrospectively collected. The primary outcome was the rate of severe adverse effects (SAE, defined as severe manifestations of hypotension, allergy, metabolic disturbances or other life-threatening event) that occurred during HVPE sessions. Factors influencing day-21 TFS were also studied. Results: One hundred twenty sessions were performed in 50 patients. The main etiology for ALF was paracetamol (52% of the patients). During the session, hemoglobin, platelet, transaminases, ammonia and bilirubin decreased, coagulation factors increased, and creatinine and lactate remained unchanged. At least one SAE was reported for 32 out of 120 sessions (26.7% [19%-35.5%], mostly severe alkalosis [24/117], hypotension [4/120] and hypocalcemia [4/119]). Arterial pH ≤ 7.43 following HVPE and paracetamol etiology were negatively and positively associated with day-21 TFS, respectively. Conclusion: Severe adverse effects were frequent during HVPE performed for ALF, mainly severe alkalosis, hypotension and hypocalcemia. Post-HVPE, pH and paracetamol etiology were prognosis markers.

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Hemolysis is the most prevalent pre-analytical interfering factor and a major source of error in laboratory analysis. The examination of samples post-centrifugation can provide valuable information regarding pre-analytical interferences. In this unusual case, a patient's plasma specimen was cherry-red after centrifugation, which is most usually indicative of hemolysis. However, subsequent investigations ruled out common hemolysis causes. We eventually determined that the patient's cherry-red plasma was most likely caused by other factors in the patient's medical history, including cancer treatment with PV-10 (rose bengal disodium 10%). We then conducted an interference study to comprehensively assess the effects of PV-10 on various biochemical tests, especially liver function tests and bilirubin levels. The findings indicate that PV-10 has varying effects on different biochemical assays and test results should be examined individually. This report underlines the need for awareness of potential drug interference on laboratory tests for better result interpretation and making clinical decisions.

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Synthetic liposomes are widely used as drug delivery vehicles in biomedical treatments, such as for mRNA-based antiviral vaccines like those recently developed against SARS-CoV-2. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are naturally produced by cells, have emerged as a next-generation delivery system. However, key questions regarding their origin within cells remain unresolved. In this regard, plasma membrane vesicles (PMVs), which are essentially produced from the cellular plasma membrane (PM), present a promising alternative. Unfortunately, their properties relevant to biomedical applications have not be extensively studied. Therefore, we conducted a thorough investigation of the methods used in the production of PMVs. By leveraging advanced fluorescence techniques in microscopy and flow cytometry, we demonstrated a strong dependence of the physicochemical attributes of PMVs on the chemicals used during their production. Following established protocols employing chemicals such as paraformaldehyde (PFA), N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) or dl-dithiothreitol (DTT) and by developing a modified NEM-based method that involved a hypotonic shock step, we generated PMVs from THP-1 CD1d cells. We systematically compared key parameters such as vesicle output, their size distribution, vesicular content analysis, vesicular membrane lipid organization and the mobility of a transmembrane protein. Our results revealed distinct trends: PMVs isolated using NEM-based protocols closely resembled natural vesicles, whereas PFA induced significant molecular cross-linking, leading to notable changes in the biophysical properties of the vesicles. Furthermore, our novel NEM protocol enhanced the efficiency of PMV production. In conclusion, our study highlights the unique characteristics of chemically produced PMVs and offers insights into their potentially diverse yet valuable biological functions.

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Bloodstains are crucial pieces of physical evidences found at violent crime scenes, providing valuable information for reconstructing forensic cases. However, there is limited data on how bloodstain lipidomes change over time after deposition. Hence, we deployed a high-throughput high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) approach to construct lipidomic atlases of bloodstains, whole blood, plasma, and blood cells from 15 healthy adults. A time-course analysis was also performed on bloodstains deposited for up to 6 months at room temperature (~ 25°C). The molecular levels of 60 out of 400 detected lipid species differed dramatically between bloodstain and whole blood samples, with major disturbances observed in membrane glycerophospholipids. More than half of these lipids were prevalent in the cellular and plasmic fractions; approximately 27% and 10% of the identified lipids were uniquely derived from blood cells and plasma, respectively. Furthermore, a subset of 65 temporally dynamic lipid species arose across the 6-month room-temperature deposition period, with decreased triacylglycerols (TAGs) and increased lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs) as representatives, accounting for approximately 8% of the total investigated lipids. The instability of lipids increased linearly with time, with the most variability observed in the first 10 days. This study sheds light on the impact of air-drying bloodstains on blood components at room temperature and provides a list of potential bloodstain lipid markers for determining the age of bloodstains.

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Cold plasma (CP) is a novel environmental-friendly preservation technology that causes minimal damage to fruits. The flavor and quality of winter jujubes have decreased with the extended storage time. Currently, the research on the use of CP on winter jujubes (Ziziphus jujuba Mill. 'Dongzao') mainly focuses on the effect of the treatment on storage quality. There is limited research on the effect of CP treatment on the flavor of winter jujubes. This study used different CP (80 kV) treatment durations (0, 5, and 10 min) to treat winter jujubes. The appropriate treatment time was selected by observing the changes in color, respiratory intensity, soluble sugar content, total acid content, and vitamin C (VC) content of winter jujubes. Amino acid analyzer and headspace solid-phase microextraction in combination with gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometric detection were used to analyze the effect of CP treatment on the flavor compounds of winter jujubes. The results showed that the 5-min CP treatment could significantly slow down the red coloration of winter jujube while maintaining high soluble sugar, total acid, and VC content. At the respiration peak, the respiratory intensity of the 5-min CP treatment group was 0.74 mg CO2·kg-1·h-1 lower than that of the control group (p < 0.05). CP treatment slowed down the decrease in the content of amino acids and volatile organic compounds (such as 2-methyl-4-pentenal, 2-hexenal, and 3-hexenal) in winter jujubes. This study will provide basic data for applying CP preservation technology in postharvest winter jujubes.

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Successful development of phage-based therapeutics and their utility predominantly depend on the mode and route of phage administration. Topical and site-directed phage application evokes minimal immune clearance and allows more phage-host adsorption, thereby ensuring higher phage efficacy. However, a notable drawback of conventional topical phage applications is the absence of sustained release. Occlusive emollients guarantee the controlled release of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), thereby facilitating administration, preventing moisture loss, and acting as a skin barrier. In this study, we developed phage and human platelet lysate (h-PL) incorporated cetomacrogol-based creams for combined phage therapy and wound healing. The base material for phage immobilization was formulated by emulsifying paraffin and sterile water with cetomacrogol (emulsifying agent). Specifically, we incorporated a Pseudomonas aeruginosa-infecting lytic phage vB_PaeM_M12PA in the formulation and characterized its genome in this study. Cetomacrogol, a nonionic PEG (polyethylene glycol) based ether, rendered phage stability and allowed initial burst release followed by continuous controlled release of phages from the embedding matrix in the initial 6-8 h. Rheological studies showed that the material has elastic properties with storage moduli (G') values ranging from 109.51 ± 2.10 to 126.02 ± 3.13 kPa, indicating frequency-independent deformation. Platelet lysates in the cream acted as wound healing agents, and in vitro evaluation of cell migration and wound healing capacity of h-PL showed a significant enhancement by the sixth hour compared to untreated groups. The phage-incorporated cream showed sustained phage release in solid media and a significant reduction in bacterial growth in liquid cultures. In vivo wound healing studies in 6-week-old Wistar rats with full-thickness excision wounds and subsequent histopathological studies showed that the formulation enhanced wound healing and tissue restoration efficiency. In conclusion, the study unveils a promising approach for integrated phage therapy and wound healing strategies.

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Seminal plasma (SP) is the main vector of C. trachomatis (CT) during heterosexual transmission from male to female. It has immunomodulatory properties and impacts the susceptibility to HIV-1 infection, but its role has not been explored during CT infection. In the female reproductive tract (FRT), CT infection induces cytokine production and neutrophil recruitment. The role of neutrophils during CT infection is partially described, they could be at the origin of the pathology observed during CT infection. During this study, we developed an experimental in vitro model to characterize the impact of CT infection and SP on endocervical epithelial cell immune response in the FRT. We also studied the impact of the epithelial cell response on neutrophil phenotype and functions. We showed that the production by epithelial cells of pro-inflammatory cytokines increased during CT infection. Moreover, the pool of SP as well as individuals SP inhibited CT infection in a dose-dependent manner. The pool of SP inhibited cytokine production in a dose-dependent manner. The pool of SP altered gene expression profiles of infected cells. The culture supernatants of cells infected or not with CT, in presence or not of the pool of SP, had an impact on neutrophil phenotype and functions: they affected markers of neutrophil maturation, activation and adhesion capacity, as well as the survival, ROS production and phagocytosis ability. This study proposes a novel approach to study the impact of the environment on the phenotype and functions of neutrophils in the FRT. It highlights the impact of the factors of the FRT environment, in particular SP and CT infection, on the mucosal inflammation and the need to take into account the SP component while studying sexually transmitted infections during heterosexual transmission from male to female.

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Hsp70:J-domain protein (JDP) machineries play pivotal roles in maintaining cellular proteostasis and governing various aspects of fungal physiology. While Hsp70 is known for its involvement in conferring tolerance to diverse antifungal drugs, the specific contribution of JDPs remains unclear. In this study, we examined the sensitivity of cytosolic JDP deletion strains of budding yeast to amphotericin B (AmB), a polyene antifungal agent widely utilized in fungal disease treatment due to its ability to disrupt the fungal plasma membrane (PM). Deleting Caj1, a PM-associated class II JDP, heightened susceptibility to AmB, and the protection conferred by Caj1 against AmB necessitated both its N-terminal J-domain and C-terminal lipid binding domain. Moreover, Caj1 deficiency compromised PM integrity as evidenced by increased phosphate efflux and exacerbated AmB sensitivity, particularly at elevated temperatures. Notably, phytosphingosine (PHS) addition as well as overexpression of PMP3, a positive PM integrity regulator, significantly rescued AmB sensitivity of caj1Δ cells. Our results align with the notion that Caj1 associates with the PM and cooperates with Hsp70 to regulate PM proteostasis, thereby influencing PM integrity in budding yeast. Loss of Caj1 function at the PM compromises PM protein quality control, thereby rendering yeast cells more susceptible to AmB.

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BACKGROUND: Injection therapy offers a minimally invasive approach for symptomatic relief that allows concurrent training, limiting time loss and providing a faster recovery. However, there is a lack of scientific evidence to support it, and there are controversies about its use. The present narrative review aims to present the available scientific literature on injection therapies in professional footballers (PF), highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of its use in the most common injuries. METHODS: The authors searched and reviewed contemporary literature on injection therapies in PF in electronic databases, summarizing them in a narrative review. RESULTS: Injection therapies such as hyaluronic acid and PRP have shown an adequate safety profile that allows their use. Current evidence suggests that hyaluronic acid injections are a valid option for managing symptomatic cartilage injuries. At the same time, PRP injections have failed to prove beneficial in treating muscle injuries and should be avoided until further evidence proves the opposite. Yet, PRP may have potential use in partial ACL injuries, anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament injuries (ankle syndesmosis), and fifth metatarsal fractures and needs further study. Due to the long-term health repercussions, other injection therapies should be preferred over corticosteroids in PF. CONCLUSIONS: There is a paucity of evidence on the use and benefits of injection therapies in PF despite its extensive use among physicians. Viscosupplementation may have a role in improving symptomatic cartilage injuries. In contrast, PRP injection therapy needs further high-quality clinical trials to assess its role in PF sports injuries.

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PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine whether intrauterine infusion of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) gel increases endometrial thickness (EMT) and improves the outcomes of frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) in women with thin endometrium. METHODS: This study included 111 women (aged 25-44 years) who had thin endometrium. All patients had at least one previous cycle canceled because of thin endometrium or previous embryo transfer cycles and an EMT < 7 mm. Forty-seven women underwent intrauterine infusion of autologous PRP gel on three occasions during endometrial preparation and the remaining women served as controls. The final EMT was measured by ultrasound before the start of the luteal phase, and FET-related outcome parameters were monitored. RESULTS: Mean EMT was greater in women who received PRP gel than in those who did not (6.7 mm vs. 6.3 mm, respectively, p < 0.05). FET was attempted in all women. The 47 women who underwent infusion of PRP had a significantly higher pregnancy rate (18 pregnancies (38.3%), with 17 (36.2%) ongoing) compared with 64 control women (ten pregnancies (18.5%), nine (16.7%) ongoing). However, there was no significant reduction in the miscarriage rate. CONCLUSION: Intrauterine infusion of autologous PRP gel during endometrial preparation for FET cycles can improve the EMT, clinical pregnancy rate, and ongoing pregnancy rate in women with thin endometrium.

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AIMS: Quantitative methods have shown clinically significant heterogeneity in blood volume (BV) profiles across heart failure (HF) phenotypes. These profiles extend from hypovolaemia to normal BV and to variable degrees of BV hypervolaemia, frequently with similar clinical presentations. However, a comprehensive survey of BV profiles providing practical clinical guidance for the interpretation and management of quantitative plasma volume (PV) and red blood cell (RBC) mass findings has not been reported. The intent of this study is to advance this concept through a multicentre analysis. METHODS AND RESULTS: A retrospective analysis of clinical and BV data was undertaken in stable NYHA class II-III HF patients (N = 546). BV was quantitated using established nuclear medicine indicator-dilution methodology. Differing combinations of PV and RBC mass were identified contributing to marked heterogeneity in overall BV profiles. A quantitatively normal BV was identified in 32% of the cohort but of these only ~1/3 demonstrated a true normal BV (i.e., normal PV + normal RBC mass). The remaining portion of normal BV profiles reflected balanced combinations of compensatory PV expansion with RBC mass deficit (anaemia) (14% of cohort) and PV contraction with RBC mass excess (erythrocythemia) (6% of cohort). Main contributors to BV hypervolaemia were PV excess with a normal RBC mass (21% of cohort; 23% female) and PV excess with erythrocythemia (24% of cohort; 26% female). Hypovolaemia was predominately defined by RBC mass deficit with a normal PV (6% of cohort; 57% female) or RBC mass deficit with PV contraction (5% of cohort; 48% female). CONCLUSIONS: Findings support the clinical relevance of identifying and accurately interpreting the varying combinations of PV and RBC mass in patients with chronic HF. This in turn helps guide appropriate individualized patient management strategies. A practical volume-based guideline is provided in an effort to aid clinician interpretation.

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Intraovarian injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been recently proposed, with encouraging results to provide an alternative option to patients diagnosed with POR or POI. However, the broad spectrum of PRP effects on the reproductive function and the mechanisms of action in follicular activation, response to stimulation, and embryo quality have not yet been studied. In this study, we first induced poor ovarian reserve (POR) and premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) ovarian phenotypes in CD1 mice undergoing PRP or sham intraovarian injection. PRP administration reduced those alterations induced by chemotherapy in ovarian stroma and follicle morphology in both the POR and POI conditions. After ovarian stimulation, we found that PRP did not modify the MII-oocyte yield. Nevertheless, the amount of obtained 2-cell embryos and fertilization rate were increased, being especially relevant for the POI model. Further in vitro embryo culture led to improved blastocyst formation rates and higher numbers of good quality blastocysts in PRP vs. sham females in both the POR and POI conditions. These positive results of PRP injection were also validated in the C57Bl/6 stain. Altogether, our findings suggest a possible effect on oocyte and embryo quality. This effect is likely due to the increase of local paracrine signaling through the released growth factors in PRP-treated ovaries.

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Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has become an important regenerative therapy. However, the preparation method of PRP has not been standardized, and the optimal platelet concentration for PRP used in skin wound repair is unclear, leading to inconsistent clinical efficacy of PRP. Therefore, the development of standardized preparation methods for PRP and the investigation of the dose-response relationship between PRP with different platelet concentrations and tissue regeneration plays an important role in the development and clinical application of PRP technology. This study has developed an integrated blood collection device from blood drawing to centrifugation. Response surface methodology was employed to optimize the preparation conditions, ultimately achieving a platelet recovery rate as high as 95.74% for PRP (with optimal parameters: centrifugation force 1730× g, centrifugation time 10 min, and serum separation gel dosage 1.4 g). Both in vitro and in vivo experimental results indicate that PRP with a (2×) enrichment ratio is the most effective in promoting fibroblast proliferation and skin wound healing, with a cell proliferation rate of over 150% and a wound healing rate of 78% on day 7.

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Hyaluronic acid (HA) is the main component of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) synovial fluid. Arthritis in temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) disrupts HA metabolism, resulting in shorter polymeric chain predominance and increased friction. Intra-articular injections of HA supplement the larger molecules of this glycosaminoglycan, and the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) delivered in this way releases growth factors, suppressing inflammation. This PRISMA-compliant PROSPERO-registered (CRD42024564382) systematic review aimed to assess the validity of mixing HA with PRP in the injectable treatment of TMJ disorders. We searched the medical literature for eligible randomized clinical trials using BASE, Google Scholar, PubMed and Scopus engines on 9 May 2024, with no time frame limit. Selected reports were assessed for risk of bias using the Cochrane RoB2 tool. Numerical data were collected on articular pain and mandibular mobility. We provided mean differences from baseline and between study and control groups at each observation point. The efficacy of TMD treatment with HA/PRP versus HA or PRP alone was assessed meta-analytically. Of 171 identified records, we selected 6 studies. In the 6-month follow-up, the mean advantage of PRP supplementation with HA was 2.52 (SE = 2.44; d = 0.83) mm and the benefit of adding PRP to HA was 1.47 (SE = 2.68; d = 0.34) mm in mandibular abduction. The pain-improvement scores were -1.33 (SE = 1.02; d = -1.05) and -1.18 (SE = 0.92; d = 0.80), respectively. Presumably, the HA/PRP range of therapeutic efficiency includes cases non-respondent to HA or PRP alone.

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Recent studies highlighted the role of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in progenitor cell homing, migration, and nerve cell regeneration while also inhibiting fibrosis and apoptosis in cavernous nerve injury (CNI). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of PRP administration on axon and collagen regeneration in CNI. A true experimental study using a post-test-only control group design was conducted. Twenty-five male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus), weighing 200-300 grams, were divided into five groups: two control groups (sham procedure and negative control), and three experimental groups receiving local PRP, intraperitoneal PRP, and a combination of local and intraperitoneal PRP. The cavernous nerve was injured with a hemostasis clamp for one minute before 200 µL of 200 PRP was injected locally, intraperitoneally, or both, depending on the group. After four weeks, the rats were euthanized, tissue segments (2 mm) from each cavernous nerve and mid-penis were collected and analyzed for collagen density, axon diameter, and number of myelinated axons. Our study found that collagen growth was slower in CNI group without PRP (sham procedure) compared to all PRP groups (local, intraperitoneal, and combination). The intraperitoneal PRP group had the highest collagen density at 5.62 µm; however, no significant difference was observed in collagen density among all groups (p=0.056). Similar axon diameter was found across the groups, with no statistically significant difference observed (p=0.856). In the number of myelinated axons, a significant difference was found among all groups with significantly more axons in local PRP and combined local and intraperitoneal PRP groups compared to others (p=0.026). In conclusion, PRP administration improved the number of myelinated axons in CNI, suggesting PRP role in CNI regeneration and the potential for an innovative approach to treating erectile dysfunction associated with CNI.

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Primary or light-chain (AL) (lambda) amyloidosis is a rare systemic disorder that is characterized by the misfolding of autologous proteins and the extracellular deposition of abnormally folded proteins composed of immunoglobulin light chains, often caused by plasma cell dyscrasias. We present a unique case of a 57-year-old female with multiple comorbidities, including extensive smoking history and chronic kidney disease, who was incidentally discovered to have a left upper lobe lung nodule on a chest X-ray prompted by complaints of shortness of breath. The patient underwent biopsy of the lung nodule, and by utilizing the gold standard diagnostic technique of a Congo red stain, positive test results confirmed the diagnosis of AL amyloidosis. However, additional investigations, including bone marrow and fat pad biopsies, were negative for plasma cell dyscrasias. The patient subsequently underwent a wedge resection of the nodule, and a follow-up positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) scan showed only post-surgical changes in the left upper lobe of the lung without evidence of disease progression or systemic involvement. Given the asymptomatic and multisystem symptomology of most cases, treatment options for AL amyloidosis are individualized. This case discusses pulmonary nodular AL amyloidosis and highlights the diagnostic and treatment options for this disorder.