Innovative hybrid vs polymeric nanocapsules: The influence of the cationic lipid coating on the "4S"

Polymeric and hybrid aqueous-core nanocapsules were prepared using a low energy organic-solvent free procedure as innovative nanodevices for the ophthalmic delivery of melatonin. In order to evaluate how different cationic lipids could affect the main properties of the nanodevices, we focused our attention on mean particles size, surface charge, shape and stability (the "4S"). The results of our study confirmed the hypothesis that the coating material differently affects the overall nanoparticles properties, above all in terms of morphology: in particular, the cationic lipid dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide allows the formation of very stable well-defined nanocapsules with non-spherical shape with sustained and prolonged drug release, thus representing a great advantage in ophthalmic application.

Genome-wide study on intramuscular fat in Italian Large White pig breed using the PorcineSNP60 BeadChip

Genome-wide association study results are presented for intramuscular fat in Italian Large White pig breed. A total of 886 individuals were genotyped with PorcineSNP60 BeadChip. After quality control performed with plink software and in R environment, 49 208 markers remained for the association analysis. The genome-wide association studies was conducted using linear mixed model implemented in GenABEL. We detected seven new SNPs of genes till now not found associated to intramuscular fat (IMF). Three markers map in a wide intergenic region rich of QTL linked to fat traits, one map 388 kb upstream the gene SDK1, one map inside PPP3CA gene, one inside SCPEP1 gene and the last is not mapped in the porcine genome yet. Associations here presented indicate a moderate effect of these genes on IMF. In particular, PPP3CA, that is involved in the oxidative metabolism of skeletal muscle, could be considerated as an interesting candidate gene for IMF content in pigs. However, further studies are needed to clarify the role of these genes on the physiological processes involved in IMF regulation. These results may be useful to control this trait that is important in terms of nutritional, technological and organoleptic characteristics of fresh meat and processed products.

Redox modulation of cellular stress response and lipoxin A4 expression by Coriolus versicolor in rat brain: Relevance to Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis

Increasing evidence supports the notion that oxidative stress-driven neuroinflammation is an early pathological feature in neurodegenerative diseases. As a prominent intracellular redox system involved in neuroprotection, the vitagene system is emerging as a potential neurohormetic target for novel cytoprotective interventions. Vitagenes encode for cytoprotective heat shock proteins 70, heme oxygenase-1, thioredoxin and lipoxin A4. Emerging interest is now focusing on molecules capable of activating the vitagene system as novel therapeutic targets to minimize deleterious consequences associated with free radical-induced cell damage, such as in neurodegeneration. Mushroom-derived lipoxin A4 (LXA4) is an emerging endogenous eicosanoid able to promote resolution of inflammation, acting as an endogenous "braking signal" in the inflammatory process. Mushrooms have long been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years, being now increasingly recognized as rich source of polysaccharopeptides endowed with significant antitumor, antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial and cytoprotective effects, thereby capable of stimulating host immune responses. Here we provide evidence of a neuroprotective action of the Coriolus mushroom when administered orally to rat. Expression of LXA4 was measured in different brain regions after oral administration of a Coriolus biomass preparation, given for 30 days. LXA4 up-regulation was associated with an increased content of redox sensitive proteins involved in cellular stress response, such as Hsp72, heme oxygenase-1 and thioredoxin. In the brain of rats receiving Coriolus, maximum induction of LXA4 was observed in cortex and hippocampus. Hsps induction was associated with no significant changes in IkBα, NFkB and COX-2 brain levels. Conceivably, activation of LXA4 signaling and modulation of stress-responsive vitagene proteins could serve as a potential therapeutic target for AD-related inflammation and neurodegenerative damage.

Conjugated linoleic acid isomers strongly improve the redox status of bovine mammary epithelial cells (BME-UV1)

Some studies have shown the protective effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers against oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in animal models, but no information is available about CLA and changes in oxidative status of the bovine mammary gland. The objectives of the study were to assess in vitro the effect of CLA on the cellular antioxidant response of bovine mammary cells, to examine whether CLA isomers could play a role in cell protection against the oxidative stress, and to study the molecular mechanism involved. For the study, BME-UV1 cells, a bovine mammary epithelial cell line, were used as the experimental model. The BME-UV1 cells were treated with complete medium containing 50 µM cis-9,trans-11 CLA (c9,t11 CLA), trans-10,cis-12 CLA (t10,c12 CLA), and CLA mixture (1:1, cis-9,trans-11: trans-10,cis-12 CLA). To monitor cellular uptake of CLA isomers, cells and culture medium were collected at 0, 3, and 48 h from CLA addition for lipid extraction and fatty acid analyses. To assess the cellular antioxidant response, glutathione (GSH/GSSH), NADPH, and γ-glutamyl-cysteine ligase activity was measured after 48 h from addition of CLA. Cytoplasmic superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, and glutathione reductase activities and mRNA were also determined. Intracellular reactive oxygen species and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance production were assessed in cells supplemented with CLA isomers. Cell viability after 3h to H2O2 exposure was assessed to evaluate and to compare the potential protection of different CLA isomers against H2O2-induced oxidative stress. Mammary cells readily picked up all CLA isomers, their accumulation was time dependent, and main metabolites at 48 h are two 18:3 isomers. The CLA treatment induced an intracellular GSH increase, matched by high concentration of NADPH, and an increase of γ-glutamyl-cysteine ligase activity mainly in cells treated with the t10,c12 CLA isomer. The CLA isomer treatment of bovine mammary cells increased superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione S-transferase activity and decreased glutathione reductase activity, but no changes in gene expression of these antioxidant enzymes were observed. Cells supplemented with CLA isomers showed a reduction in intracellular reactive oxygen species and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance levels. All CLA isomers were able to enhance cell resistance against H2O2-induced oxidative stress. These suggest an antioxidant role of CLA, in particular of t10,c12 CLA, by developing a significantly high redox status in cells.

The TITAN-AMI multicenter registry evaluating the usage of Titan2 stent in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction. Final result at 12-month follow-up

AIM

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention with stent implantation is the recommended treatment for patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Data from randomised trials showed good performance by a titanium-nitric-oxide coated stent in this context. The aim of this study was to confirm these data.

METHODS

A multicentre registry was compiled in 23 hospitals in Spain in an all-comers population. We selected patients with STEMI from a global Titan AMI registry that included patients with acute coronary syndrome. Primary endpoint was the composite of cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis and target lesion revascularisation, at 12-month follow-up.

RESULTS

The study included 893 patients with STEMI. We included all possibilities for PCI: 86.6% primary, 5% facilitated after successful fibrinolysis and 8.4% rescue PCI after failed fibrinolysis. The primary endpoint was reached in 8.4% of the patients: cardiac death 2.7%, reinfarction 3.4%, target lesion revascularisation 3.5% and definite or probable stent thrombosis 2.8%. The majority of stent thromboses presented in the first 30 days after PCI.

CONCLUSION

A bioactive stent (titanium-nitric-oxide coated stent) is a possible alternative for the treatment of patients with STEMI. One-year follow-up showed better results than those presented by a regular bare-metal stent or first-generation drug-eluting stent in terms of stent thrombosis.

Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with group a streptococcal infection: the role of surgical treatment

Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcus (PANDAS) is a well-defined syndrome in which tics (motor and/or vocal) and/or obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD) consistently exacerbate in temporal correlation to a Group A beta-haemolytic streptococcal infection. In children with PANDAS, there is speculation about whether tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy might improve the neuropsychiatric course. Our objective was to examine whether such surgery impacted remission or, in patients without remission, modified clinical course of the disease, streptococcal antibody titers, neuronal antibodies or clinical severity of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and/or tics. Study participants (n = 120) with positive PANDAS criteria were recruited, examined, and divided into surgical or non-surgery groups. The surgical group consisted of children with tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy (n=56). The remaining children were categorized as non-surgery (n=64). Clinical follow-up was made every 2 months for more than 2 years. Surgery did not affect symptomatology progression, streptococcal and neuronal antibodies, or the clinical severity of neuropsychiatric symptoms in these children. In conclusion, in our series clinical progression, antibody production, and neuropsychiatric symptom severity did not differ on the basis of surgical status. We cannot uphold surgical management as likely to impact positive remission rates, course of OCD/tics, or antibody concentrations in children with PANDAS.

T and B cells participate in bone repair by infiltrating the fracture callus in a two-wave fashion

Fracture healing is a regenerative process in which bone is restored without scar tissue formation. The healing cascade initiates with a cycle of inflammation, cell migration, proliferation and differentiation. Immune cells invade the fracture site immediately upon bone damage and contribute to the initial phase of the healing process by recruiting accessory cells to the injury site. However, little is known about the role of the immune system in the later stages of fracture repair, in particular, whether lymphocytes participate in soft and hard callus formation. In order to answer this question, we analyzed femoral fracture healing in mice by confocal microscopy. Surprisingly, after the initial inflammatory phase, when soft callus developed, T and B cells withdrew from the fracture site and were detectable predominantly at the femoral neck and knee. Thereafter lymphocytes massively infiltrated the callus region (around day 14 after injury), during callus mineralization. Interestingly, lymphocytes were not found within cartilaginous areas of the callus but only nearby the newly forming bone. During healing B cell numbers seemed to exceed those of T cells and B cells progressively underwent effector maturation. Both, osteoblasts and osteoclasts were found to have direct cell-cell contact with lymphocytes, strongly suggesting a regulatory role of the immune cells specifically in the later stages of fracture healing.