HLA Class I Polymorphism in the Albanian Population

The HLA class I polymorphism was studied in a sample of the Albanian population. Ninety-three unrelated healthy Albanians were typed for HLA-A, -B and -Cw antigens by standard microlyphocytotoxicity test. The antigens with the highest frequencies were: HLA-A2 (34.4%), A3 (14.5%) and A1 (12.4%); B51 (19.3%), B35 (12.4%) and B18 (10.2%); Cw4 (16.2%), Cw7 (16.2%) and Cw6 (10.8%). The HLA haplotypes with high frequency in Albanians included A2-B51 (4.3%), A2-B18 (2.4%), A2-B35 (2.4%), Cw4-B35 (7.6%), and Cw7-B18 (6.5%), which are not significantly different from the other neighboring populations. Low frequency of HLA-A1-B8 haplotype (1.1%) is noted in the Albanian population. The frequency of HLA-B27 antigen (1.1%) is one of the lowest frequencies observed in Caucasians. Such results are important in studies of HLA-A1-B8, HLA-B27 and disease associations. These findings should be also useful in understanding the origin of Albanians, representing a base for future studies about HLA polymorphism in the Albanian population

Supra-aortic stenosis surgery: case study

The aim of this study was to demonstrate a case of aorto-carotid bypass in a patient with carotid artery stenosis as a reasonable and necessary method for preventing ischemic stroke. The study was conducted at the University Hospital Center “Mother Teresa” (QSUT), Tirana. A 63-year-old patient with atherosclerotic arteriopathy and hypertension presented with episodes of dizziness and syncope. Doppler echocardiography revealed an increase in blood flow velocity in the right and left carotid arteries by more than 2.5 times. Computed tomography angiography visualised stenosis of the right and left common carotid arteries, stenosis of the brachiocephalic trunk at the beginning, and occlusion of the left subclavian artery. Performed revascularization of the common carotid arteries using a bifurcated 14×7 mm Dacron graft. The proximal end of the graft was anastomosed to the ascending aorta, and the distal ends were connected to both common carotid arteries. Follow-up Doppler echocardiography showed normalization of blood flow velocity in the carotid arteries. The patient’s neurological symptoms completely disappeared. The patient was discharged without complications after 10 days. The method of resolving complex multisegmental stenosis by aorto-carotid bypass ensures optimal perfusion of the brain and is proposed for use in appropriate conditions for the prevention of ischemic stroke

Oxford principles for responsible engagement with Article 6

Article 6 is the backbone of international carbon trading under the Paris Agreement. If utilised responsibly, Article 6 could be one of the greatest opportunities to drive additional climate mitigation and improve climate resilience. However, evidence so far shows that this potential is at risk, and the framework could instead enable the ‘greenwashing’ of climate commitments by countries and corporate entities alike. The new ‘Oxford Principles for Responsible Engagement with Article 6’ – developed by a wide range of researchers and practitioners from Oxford and beyond – provide essential guidance and guardrails to enable this international framework to be used in a responsible manner. The current international rules established under Articles 6.2 and 6.4 create a floor rather than a ceiling of integrity, leaving considerable discretion to the user as to how to act responsibly. The goal of the 'Oxford Principles for Article 6' is to foster international carbon markets that drive genuine climate action and provide incentives to enhance ambition as opposed to serving as a smokescreen for inaction. The document expands on three core Principles and specific criteria that must be implemented to achieve these principles. Principle One: Ensure that the Use of Mitigation Outcomes is Aligned with the Paris Agreement Principle Two: Ensure Mitigation Outcomes have Climate Integrity and Uphold Social and Environmental Safeguards Principle Three: Ensure Robust Accounting and Transparent Engagement with Article The Oxford Principles for Article 6 build on the San José Principles to promote high ambition and integrity in international carbon markets. They do not displace existing rules and guidance on Articles 6.2 and 6.4, but instead bolster these as necessary

MRI Tracking of FePro Labeled Fresh and Cryopreserved Long Term In Vitro Expanded Human Cord Blood AC133+ Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Rat Glioma

Background: Endothelial progenitors cells (EPCs) are important for the development of cell therapies for various diseases. However, the major obstacles in developing such therapies are low quantities of EPCs that can be generated from the patient and the lack of adequate non-invasive imaging approach for in vivo monitoring of transplanted cells. The objective of this project was to determine the ability of cord blood (CB) AC133+ EPCs to differentiate, in vitro and in vivo, toward mature endothelial cells (ECs) after long term in vitro expansion and cryopreservation and to use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess the in vivo migratory potential of ex vivo expanded and cryopreserved CB AC133+ EPCs in an orthotopic glioma rat model. Materials, Methods and Results: The primary CB AC133+ EPC culture contained mainly EPCs and long term in vitro conditions facilitated the maintenance of these cells in a state of commitment toward endothelial lineage. At days 15–20 and 25–30 of the primary culture, the cells were labeled with FePro and cryopreserved for a few weeks. Cryopreserved cells were thawed and in vitro differentiated or IV administered to glioma bearing rats. Different groups of rats also received long-term cultured, magnetically labeled fresh EPCs and both groups of animals underwent MRI 7 days after IV administration of EPCs. Fluorescent microscopy showed that in vitro differentiation of EPCs was not affected by FePro labeling and cryopreservation. MRI analysis demonstrated that in vivo accumulation of previously cryopreserved transplanted cells resulted in significantly higher R2 and R2* values indicating a higher rate of migration and incorporation into tumor neovascularization of previously cryopreserved CB AC133+ EPCs to glioma sites, compared to non-cryopreserved cells. Conclusion: Magnetically labeled CB EPCs can be in vitro expanded and cryopreserved for future use as MRI probes for monitoring the migration and incorporation to the sites of neovascularization