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Chronic inflammation of the salivary glands from pathologic conditions such as Sjögren's syndrome can result in glandular destruction and hyposalivation. To understand which molecular factors may play a role in clinical cases of salivary gland hypofunction, we developed an aquaporin 5 (AQP5) Cre mouse line to produce genetic recombination predominantly within the acinar cells of the glands. We then bred these mice with the TNF-αglo transgenic line to develop a mouse model with salivary gland-specific overexpression of TNF-α; which replicates conditions seen in sialadenitis, an inflammation of the salivary glands resulting from infection or autoimmune disorders such as Sjögren's syndrome. The resulting AQP5-Cre/TNF-αglo mice display severe inflammation in the salivary glands with acinar cell atrophy, fibrosis, and dilation of the ducts. AQP5 expression was reduced in the salivary glands, while tight junction integrity appeared to be disrupted. The immune dysregulation in the salivary gland of these mice led to hyposalivation and masticatory dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a proalgesic cytokine that is commonly expressed following tissue injury. TNF-α expression not only promotes inflammation but can also lead to pain hypersensitivity in nociceptors. With the established link between TNF-α and inflammatory pain, we identified its increased expression in the teeth of patients affected with caries and pulpitis. We generated a transgenic mouse model (TNF-α(glo)) that could be used to conditionally overexpress TNF-α. These mice were bred with a dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1)-Cre line for overexpression of TNF-α in both the tooth pulp and bone to study oral pain that would result from subsequent development of pulpitis and bone loss. The resulting DMP1/TNF-α(glo) mice show inflammation in the tooth pulp that resembles pulpitis while also displaying periodontal bone loss. Inflammatory infiltrates and enlarged blood vessels were observed in the tooth pulp. Pulpitis and osteitis affected the nociceptive neurons innervating the orofacial region by causing increased expression of inflammatory cytokines within the trigeminal ganglia. With this new mouse model morphologically mimicking pulpitis and osteitis, we tested it for signs of oral pain with an oral function assay (dolognawmeter). This assay/device records the time required by a mouse to complete a discrete gnawing task. The duration of gnawing required by the DMP1/TNF-α(glo) mice to complete the task was greater than that for the controls; extended gnaw time in a dolognawmeter indicates reduced orofacial function. With the DMP1/TNF-α(glo) mice, we have shown that TNF-α expression alone can produce inflammation similar to pulpitis and osteitis and that this mouse model can be used to study dental inflammatory pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective and systematic corporate education is a key factor for competitiveness the current turbulent economy. The results presented in this paper are based on a questionnaire survey. The research was carried out on a sample set of Czech, Russian, Slovak and Ukrainian companies. The aim of the survey was to determine to what extent companies in four post-communist countries apply a strategic approach to education, which, among other things, is linked to the presence of long-term and annual education plans. The results of the research showed that micro-companies and small companies in particular do not do so. The research also revealed that some companies, even though they declare they have an LTEP/AEP in place, are not adhering to their plans.

Research background: Ethical conduct is considered a pillar of strength within the context of corporate social responsibility. The basic tool for achieving this is a code of ethics, which should form the basis for the ethical management of any company. Globalisation and internationalisation have brought with them the need to have a high-quality code of ethics in place, one that is balanced in terms of content. Purpose of the article: The aim of the research presented in this contribution is to determine, by means of qualitative comparative analysis, to what extent codes of ethics meet key preconditions for efficacy. Methods: The analysis was carried out on a sample set of 40 companies from various industrial sectors, and of various size, ownership structure and origin. All the companies were active in the Czech Republic at the time. The main preconditions for determining the efficacy of a code of ethics, and which therefore formed the basis for the qualitative comparative analysis, were set in advance. Findings & Value added: The results of the analysis revealed that significant differences exist between companies with national and international spheres of activity with regards to the content and form of their codes of ethics. As a consequence, the preconditions for efficacy were judged not to have been fully met. The primary reason for the differences was the level of importance managements and owners of companies assign to a code of ethics and the emphasis they place on adherence to the provisions set forth in them.

• Physiotherapy has significant effect on balance in people with multiple sclerosis. • With the same number of sessions, more intense therapy is more effective. • Physiotherapy improves dynamic balance more in people with more severe disability. • Outcome is influenced by balance specificity approach but not by different physiotherapeutic categories. A high-quality research identifying the best physiotherapeutic approach for the improvement of balance in people with multiple sclerosis is missing. This study compared aspects of balance improvement such as therapy specificity to balance, therapy method and category, country, intensity and medical conditions. A multicentric randomised rater-blinded controlled trial comprised three different physiotherapy programs (Czech and Italian outpatient or inpatient programs). All patients received 20 therapy sessions. Experimental group underwent balance specific physiotherapy (it was Motor Program Activating Therapy in the Czech cohort and Sensory-motor Integration Training in the Italian cohort), control group underwent non-balance specific physiotherapy (it was Vojta reflex locomotion in the Czech cohort and conventional dynamic strengthening exercises in the Italian cohort, respectively). Static balance was evaluated by Berg Balance Scale and dynamic balance was assessed by Timed Up-and-Go Test. A total of 149 patients entered the study. Physiotherapy significantly improved static balance (p < 0.0001, increase by mean 2.6 points (95% confidence interval 2.0–3.5) in BBS score). Balance specific approach had a higher effect than non-specific balance approach (increase in BBS by 1.9 points, 95% confidence interval 0.9–3.7 points). The intensity of the physiotherapy significantly influenced static balance (BBS by 2.7 points higher in the inpatient setting, p = 0.007). Dynamic balance was also improved (TUG decrease by −0.8 s (95% CI −1.4 – −0.1s, p = 0.011)); the balance specificity had no impact. The level of disability played the most important role (p = 0.022). Although the overall changes in static and dynamic balance were statistically significant, they were quite small in a clinical sense. A small statistically significant difference between balance specific and non-specific treatment was found. It seems that a high intensity of the therapy is critical to maximize the effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mononuclear cell (MNC) apheresis products serve as the starting material of many cell therapies, and they can be further processed to yield purified peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). This PBMC purification step eliminates excess red blood cells (RBCs) and platelets, since these can inhibit the culture and/or expansion of specific cell types of interest such as T cells, NK cells, or monocytes. The use of Ficoll density gradient separation efficiently separates PBMCs from RBCs, and this process has been adapted to the automated Sepax C-Pro device (Cytiva) for clinical manufacturing. In contrast to the Sepax, the Curate Cell Processing System uses microfluidic technology to separate PBMCs without the use of Ficoll. We performed a series of side-by-side PBMC purifications using the Sepax and Curate systems with 6 healthy donor MNC apheresis products. The Curate microfluidic system yielded ≥75% recovery of total nucleated cells (average = 78.7 ± 2.7%), which was a 48% increase compared to Sepax, with a 77% increase in recovery of CD3+ T cells in particular. This improvement in recovery was accompanied by a significant decrease in both RBC and platelet contamination, with a 99.7 ± 0.1% reduction of platelets in the Curate compared to 90.9 ± 0.6% in the Sepax. Characterization of T cells following isolation showed an equivalent T cell differentiation state of naïve vs. effector cells between the two platforms, and current experiments are underway to evaluate performance of isolated PBMCs in a CAR-T manufacturing process. Given the improved recovery and purity of PBMCs isolated from the Curate microfluidic system, this technology demonstrates significant utility particularly for applications where large cell numbers and efficient cell recovery are desired. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]