A collagenase-targeted multiplex PCR assay for identification of Vibrio alginolyticus, Vibrio cholerae, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus

A multiplex PCR assay using three collagenase-targeted primer pairs for the species-specific detection of Vibrio alginolyticus, Vibrio cholerae, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus was developed. The results highlight the species specificity of the three primer sets designed. Because of the increasing importance of Vibrio spp. in human foodborne diseases, molecular approaches for routine microbial screening and monitoring of clinical, environmental, and food samples also have become more important. The results of this study indicate that the gene coding for collagenase should be used as an alternative molecular target to discriminate among the three Vibrio species.     

Inertial-magnetic sensors for assessing spatial cognition in infants

This letter describes a novel approach to the assessment of spatial cognition in children. In particular, we present a wireless instrumented toy embedding magneto-inertial sensors for orientation tracking, specifically developed to assess the ability to insert objects into holes. To be used in naturalistic environments (e.g., day cares), we also describe an in-field calibration procedure based on a sequence of manual rotations, not relying on accurate motions or sophisticated equipment. The final accuracy of the proposed system, after the mentioned calibration procedure, is derived by direct comparison with a gold-standard motion tracking device. In particular, both systems are subjected to a sequence of ten single-axis rotations (approximately 90°, back and forth), about three different axes. The rms of the angular error between the two measurements (gold-standard versus proposed systems) was evaluated for each trial. In particular, the average rms error is under 2°. This study indicates that a technological approach to ecological assessment of spatial cognition in infants is indeed feasible. As a consequence, prevention through screening of large number of infants is at reach.     

Comparison of poloxamer- and chitosan-based thermally sensitive gels for the treatment of vaginal mucositis

Context: The local treatment of vaginal mucositis requires an intimate and prolonged contact of anti-infective drugs with the mucosa. This can be achieved by means of mucoadhesive and thermally sensitive vehicles, capable of gelifying at the physiological temperature.

Objective: The aim of the present work was to compare the potentiality of poloxamer 407 (PLX)/chitosan lactate (CS-L) and CS-L/glycerophosphate (GP) mixtures as mucoadhesive thermally sensitive vehicles for the treatment of vaginal mucositis.

Materials and methods: PLX/CS-L and CS-L/GP mixtures were characterized for gelation and mucoadhesion properties as well as for bioactive (antimicrobial and wound healing) properties. Finally, the mixtures were loaded with amoxicillin trihydrate as model drug and characterized for drug release and washability properties.

Results and discussion: The addition of CS-L to PLX causes an increase in PLX gelation temperature from 30?°C to the physiological temperature. The dilution with simulated vaginal fluid causes an increase in gelation time of PLX/CS-L mixture, while no variation of such parameter is observed for CS-L/GP mixture which is nevertheless characterized by poorer elastic properties. The stronger mucoadhesion properties of CS-L/GP mixture counterbalance the poorer elasticity of the gel and are responsible for a longer drug contact with the biological substrate. CS-L/GP mixture is moreover characterized by better bioactive properties than PLX-based mixture.

Conclusion: CS-L/GP mixture represents a promising thermally sensitive vehicle.     

Survival of probiotic lactobacilli in the upper gastrointestinal tract using an in vitro gastric model of digestion

The aim of this study was to investigate survival of three commercial probiotic strains (Lactobacillus casei subsp. shirota, L. casei subsp. immunitas, Lactobacillus acidophilus subsp. johnsonii) in the human upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract using a dynamic gastric model (DGM) of digestion followed by incubation under duodenal conditions. Water and milk were used as food matrices and survival was evaluated in both logarithmic and stationary phase. The % of recovery in logarithmic phase ranged from 1.0% to 43.8% in water for all tested strains, and from 80.5% to 197% in milk. Higher survival was observed in stationary phase for all strains. L. acidophilus subsp. johnsonii showed the highest survival rate in both water (93.9%) and milk (202.4%). Lactic acid production was higher in stationary phase, L. casei subsp. shirota producing the highest concentration (98.2 mM) after in vitro gastric plus duodenal digestion.     

Combined Pretreatment for Enhancing Quality of Dried and Rehydrated Eggplant

A combined pretreatment of trehalose (0.5 %) and NaCl (0.5 %) solution was applied prior to drying eggplant to reduce shrinkage, browning and loss of polyphenols. Drying behaviour of eggplant slabs was experimentally examined in a convective dryer at temperatures of 50, 60 and 70 °C and at 2.3 m/s air velocity. Then the effects of pretreatment and drying temperature on the quality of the eggplant slabs in terms of microstructure, porosity, colour, total phenolic content, rehydration ratio and texture were investigated. It was noted that the pretreated eggplants (TR) dried more rapidly than the untreated ones (UTR) with a reduction of up to 1/4 of drying time. After drying at 50 and 60 °C, they showed no significant differences (p < 0.05) in terms of White index compared with fresh eggplant (78.59 ± 0.63). They had higher total phenolic content (19.86 and 18.24 mg/g (db), respectively) than the UTR ones (11.91 and 12.89 mg/g (db)), but only for the TR samples at 50 °C the value is not statistically different (p < 0.05) from the fresh ones (20.00 mg/g (db)). The pretreatment can hold also a higher porosity (85, 86 % at 50 and 60 °C, respectively) than the UTR ones (78, 82 %), but scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images indicated a total damage structure of the UTR samples. On the contrary, after the pretreatment, the porous structure was more uniform with more not lacerated cellular walls. Hence, the main effect of pretreatment was of protecting the microstructure of the eggplants by reinforcing the cell walls and to reduce the resistance of the water evaporation by avoiding the structural changes. After rehydration, the pretreated samples absorbed more water (rehydration ratio had almost doubled) than the untreated ones and showed lower firmness (95,500 Nm^?1) compared with the untreated ones (132,000 Nm^?1).     

Phenolic Profiles of Red Wine Relate to Vascular Endothelial Benefits Mediated by SIRT1 and SIRT6

Dietary phenolic compounds possess potent bioactivity against inflammatory pathways of chronic inflammatory conditions, such as type 2 diabetes. Here, the phenolic profile and bioactivity of Italian red wines Gaglioppo, Magliocco, and Nerello Mascalese were characterized. NMR, HPLC/UV-Vis and spectrophotometric characterization showed that Magliocco was the richest wine in monomeric anthocyanins (two-fold), catechins, and low molecular weight phenolics (LMWP). A positive correlation was observed between the polyphenolic content and antioxidant capacity (p < 0.05), with Magliocco displaying the highest antioxidant capacity (p < 0.01). In vitro evidence on the endothelial cell models of insulin resistance and hyperglycemia showed the ability of Magliocco to reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) (p < 0.01) and cytokine release (p < 0.01) and to upregulate SIRT1 and SIRT6 (p < 0.01). On the whole, the results indicated that the quantitative and qualitative phenolic profiles of red wines influence their in vitro beneficial effects on oxidative and proinflammatory milieu in endothelial cells, showing a positive modulation of SIRT1 and SIRT6, both implied in vascular aging.     

Long-Term Shaping of Corticostriatal Synaptic Activity by Acute Fasting

Food restriction is a robust nongenic, nonsurgical and nonpharmacologic intervention known to improve health and extend lifespan in various species. Food is considered the most essential and frequently consumed natural reward, and current observations have demonstrated homeostatic responses and neuroadaptations to sustained intermittent or chronic deprivation. Results obtained to date indicate that food deprivation affects glutamatergic synapses, favoring the insertion of GluA2-lacking α-Ammino-3-idrossi-5-Metil-4-idrossazol-Propionic Acid receptors (AMPARs) in postsynaptic membranes. Despite an increasing number of studies pointing towards specific changes in response to dietary restrictions in brain regions, such as the nucleus accumbens and hippocampus, none have investigated the long-term effects of such practice in the dorsal striatum. This basal ganglia nucleus is involved in habit formation and in eating behavior, especially that based on dopaminergic control of motivation for food in both humans and animals. Here, we explored whether we could retrieve long-term signs of changes in AMPARs subunit composition in dorsal striatal neurons of mice acutely deprived for 12 hours/day for two consecutive days by analyzing glutamatergic neurotransmission and the principal forms of dopamine and glutamate-dependent synaptic plasticity. Overall, our data show that a moderate food deprivation in experimental animals is a salient event mirrored by a series of neuroadaptations and suggest that dietary restriction may be determinant in shaping striatal synaptic plasticity in the physiological state.     

The Role of Immunogenetics in COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is induced by SARS-CoV-2 and may arise as a variety of clinical manifestations, ranging from an asymptomatic condition to a life-threatening disease associated with cytokine storm, multiorgan and respiratory failure. The molecular mechanism behind such variability is still under investigation. Several pieces of experimental evidence suggest that genetic variants influencing the onset, maintenance and resolution of the immune response may be fundamental in predicting the evolution of the disease. The identification of genetic variants behind immune system reactivity and function in COVID-19 may help in the elaboration of personalized therapeutic strategies. In the frenetic look for universally shared treatment plans, those genetic variants that are common to other diseases/models may also help in addressing future research in terms of drug repurposing. In this paper, we discuss the most recent updates about the role of immunogenetics in determining the susceptibility to and the history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We propose a narrative review of available data, speculating about lessons that we have learnt from other viral infections and immunosenescence, and discussing what kind of aspects of research should be deepened in order to improve our knowledge of how host genetic variability impacts the outcome for COVID-19 patients.