Cellular Antigen Stimulation Test (CAST) as a Novel, Affordable Laboratory Technique to Assess Potential Hypersensitivity to All Available Antiretroviral Compounds

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Optimization, characterization and in vitro evaluation of curcumin microemulsions

Abstract The purpose of this study was to improve the solubility and the stability and oral uptake of curcumin by developing an o/w microemulsion, using food grade components. Three microemulsions were developed and characterized, stabilized by non ionic surfactants Cremophor EL, Tween 20, Tween 80 or Lecitin and containing a variety of oils, namely olive oil, wheat germ oil, vitamin E. Chemical and physical stabilities of three systems was also evaluated within two months. The oral absorption of curcumin from the best microemulsion was investigated in vitro using parallel artificial membrane permeability assay (PAMPA). The optimal formulation consisted of 3.3 g/100 g of vitamin E, 53.8 g/100 g of Tween 20, 6.6 g/100 g of ethanol and water (36.3 g/100 g), with a maximum solubility of curcumin up to 14.57 mg/ml and a percentage of permeation through the artificial membrane of about 70%

The adaptation of lipid profile of human fibroblasts to alginate 2D films and 3D printed scaffolds

Background: The investigation of the interactions between cells and active materials is pivotal in the emerging 3D printing-biomaterial application fields. Here, lipidomics has been used to explore the early impact of alginate (ALG) hydrogel architecture (2D films or 3D printed scaffolds) and the type of gelling agent (CaCl2 or FeCl3) on the lipid profile of human fibroblasts. Methods: 2D and 3D ALG scaffolds were prepared and characterized in terms of water content, swelling, mechanical resistance and morphology before human fibroblast seeding (8 days). Using a liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole-tandem mass spectrometry approach, selected ceramides (CER), lysophosphatidylcholines (LPC), lysophosphatidic acids (LPA) and free fatty acids (FFA) were analyzed. Results: The results showed a clear alteration in the CER expression profile depending of both the geometry and the gelling agent used to prepare the hydrogels. As for LPCs, the main parameter affecting their distribution is the scaffold architecture with a significant decrease in the relative expression levels of the species with higher chain length (C20 to C22) for 3D scaffolds compared to 2D films. In the case of FFAs and LPAs only slight differences were observed as a function of scaffold geometry or gelling agent. Conclusions: Variations in the cell membrane lipid profile were observed for 3D cell cultures compared to 2D and these data are consistent with activation processes occurring through the mutual interactions between fibroblasts and ALG support. These unknown physiologically relevant changes add insights into the discussion about the relationship between biomaterial and the variations of cell biological functions

Persistent organochlorine compounds in fetal and maternal tissues: evaluation of their potential influence on several indicators of fetal growth and health

Some organochlorine compounds, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), have a tendency to bioaccumulate in humans and predators at the top of the food chain. We have recently confirmed the transplacental transfer of these compounds and the present study has been designed on the same material with the aim of investigating their potential health effects on newborns from 70 pregnant women, resident in a Northern Italy industrial town. Organochlorine compounds [namely, p,p'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (p,p'-DDT), p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethene (p,p'-DDE), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and PCBs] have been analyzed both in cord and maternal serum, placenta, and maternal subcutaneous adipose tissue by GC-MSD. p,p'-DDT levels in the adipose tissue resulted significantly (p<0.05) related to birth length. Mothers of neonates born by preterm programmed caesarean delivery showed significantly (p<0.005 for both) higher serum p,p'-DDE serum concentrations and p,p'-DDT levels in the adipose tissue, as compared to mothers delivering at term

Rapid chemical analysis and antiprotozoal effect of the solvent extracts and the essential oil of Artemisia indica

Artemisia indica is used as antipyretic in malarial fevers during malaria outbreaks in India [1]. We selected this plant because reports concerning the presence of artemisinin is contradictory, the content of methoxyflavonoids that potentiate the antimalarial efficacy of artemisinin has remained unstudied and the essential oil of the plant from different regions shows great chemical variations. Solvent extracts [petroleum ether, n-hexane, dichloromethane, acetone, MeOH or EtOH (96, 80 or 60% v/v), and hot water] of A. indica leaves originated from the West Bengal region (India) were assessed by HPLC-DAD and HPLC-MS for the content of artemisinin and the characteristic Artemisia methoxyflavonoids, eupatin, casticin, chrysoplenetin, cirsilineol, chrysosphenol-D and artemetin. None of the extracts contained artemisinin or the methoxyflavonoids chrysosphenol-D and artemetin, while all extracts contained chrysoplenetin. Eupatin, casticin and cirsilineol were found in all extracts except for the p. ether, n-hexane and hot water infusion. The acetone and EtOH extracts contained the highest levels of polymethoxyflavonoids (1.15 – 1.17%), whereas the infusion was devoid of them. The essential oil of the plant was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC and GC-MS simultaneously. Of the 92 compounds detected in the oil, camphor (13.0%) and caryophyllene oxide (10.87%) were the major components. All solvent extracts and the volatile oil showed in vitro antimalarial activity (1.8 – 20 µg/mL). Except for the infusion, all extracts were also active against other parasitic protozoa (Trypanosoma b. rhodesiense, T. cruzi, Leishmania donovani). This is the first study investigating both artemisinin and polymethoxyflavonoid content and detailed in vitro antiprotozoal potential of A. indica extracts and the essential oil

Bionics-based surgical training using 3D printed photopolymers and smart devices

Additive manufacturing technologies support the realization of surgical training devices using, typically, photopolymers-based materials. Unfortunately, the material jetting family, able to print a large range of soft and hard polymers, requires expensive machines and materials, which are not always available. On the other hand, vat polymerization fails in the resolution/volume ratio and in the mechanical properties reconstruction. Stereolithographic 3D printers, mostly used in dental surgery, make possible to realize cheap and sustainable models for training activity using only one material, reducing the possibility to obtain different mechanical characteristics. Moreover, the printed objects have to be treated (i.e. curing post-processing) in order to obtain the required performances, that could be preserved for long term storing. The aim of the proposed approach is to assure the surgeons' skills improvement through bionic-based surgical 3D printed models and smart devices, able to reproduce the same perception of a real surgical activity. We demonstrated how it is possible develop smart devices capable to take into account the same characteristics of different materials (i.e. bone and spongy bone) even if stored for a long time

Flowers from Kalanchoe pinnata are a Rich Source of T Cell-Suppressive Flavonoids:

The chemical composition and immunosuppressive potential of the flowers from Kalanchoe pinnata (Crassulaceae) were investigated. We found that the aqueous flower extract was more active than the leaf extract in inhibiting murine T cell mitogenesis in vitro. Flavonoids isolated from the flower extract were identified and quantitated based on NMR and HPLC-DAD-MS analysis, respectively. Along with quercetin, four quercetin glycosyl conjugates were obtained, including quercetin 3-O-β-D-glucuronopyranoside and quercetin 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, which are described for the first time in K. pinnata. All flavonoids inhibited murine T cell mitogenesis and IL-2 and IL-4 production without cell toxicity. This is the first report on the pharmacological activity of flowers of a Kalanchoe species, which are not used for curative purposes. Our findings show that K. pinnata flowers are a rich source of T-suppressive flavonoids that may be therapeutically useful against inflammatory diseases