High pressure Raman study of La1−x_{1-x}Cax_xMnO3−δ_{3-\delta} manganites

We report on a high-pressure Raman study on two members of the La$_{1-x}$Ca$_x$MnO$_{3-\delta}$ manganite family ($x=0.20$, $\delta=0$ and $\delta=0.08$). The results obtained for the $\delta=0$ sample show a different behavior in the low and high pressure regimes ascribed to the onset of a new pressure-activated interaction previously invoked in other manganite compounds. The comparison of our results with literature data gives further support to the identification of the Jahn-Teller active stretching mode and shows that pressure-induced octahedral symmetrization is more effective in systems exhibiting a lower metallic character. On the contrary the new interaction sets in at pressure which decreases on increasing the metallic character of the system indicating a relevant role of the Mn-Mn hopping integral in its activation.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure, submitted to Phys. Rev.

High pressure Raman study of La1-xCaxMnO3-δ manganites

We report a high-pressure Raman study on two members of the La1-xCaxMnO3-δ manganite family (x = 0.20, δ = 0 and δ = 0.08). The results obtained for the δ = 0 sample show a different behavior in the low and high pressure regime which is ascribed to the onset of a new pressure-activated interaction previously invoked in other manganite compounds. The comparison of our results with literature data gives further support to the identification of the Jahn-Teller sensitive stretching mode and shows that pressure-induced octahedral symmetrization is more effective in systems exhibiting a lower metallic character. On the contrary the new interaction sets in at a pressure which decreases on increasing the metallic character of the system indicating an important role of the Mn-Mn hopping integral in its activatio

Probiotic bacteria regulate intestinal epithelial permeability in experimental ileitis by a TNF-dependent mechanism

Background: We previously showed that the probiotic mixture, VSL#3, prevents the onset of ileitis in SAMP/YitFc (SAMP) mice, and this effect was associated with stimulation of epithelial-derived TNF. The aim of this study was to determine the mechanism(s) of VSL#3-mediated protection on epithelial barrier function and to further investigate the "paradoxical" effects of TNF in preventing SAMP ileitis. Methods: Permeability was evaluated in SAMP mice prior to the onset of inflammation and during established disease by measuring transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) on ex vivo-cultured ilea following exposure to VSL#3 conditioned media (CM), TNF or VSL#3-CM + anti-TNF. Tight junction (TJ) proteins were assessed by qRT-PCR, Western blot, and confocal microscopy, and TNFRI/TNFRII expression measured in freshly isolated intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) from SAMP and control AKR mice. Results: Culture with either VSL#3-CM or TNF resulted in decreased ileal paracellular permeability in pre-inflamed SAMP, but not SAMP with established disease, while addition of anti-TNF abrogated these effects. Modulation of the TJ proteins, claudin-2 and occludin, occurred with a significant decrease in claudin-2 and increase in occludin following stimulation with VSL#3-CM or TNF. TNF protein levels increased in supernatants of SAMP ilea incubated with VSL#3-CM compared to vehicle, while IEC-derived TNFR mRNA expression decreased in young, and was elevated in inflamed, SAMP versus AKR mice. Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that the previously established efficacy of VSL#3 in preventing SAMP ileitis is due to direct innate and homeostatic effects of TNF on the gut epithelium, modulation of the TJ proteins, claudin-2 and occludin, and overall improvement of intestinal permeability. © 2012 Corridoni et al

Viscosity of aqueous solutions and local microscopic structure

""The effect of solutes on the structure of water has been debated intensively over the past years. Typical scenarios label different ions as water structure “makers” or “breakers”: this is a quite elusive definition, which has been first introduced in the. description of the effect of solutes on the viscosity of water and, although criticized, is still used in the current literature. Here, using a combination of neutron diffraction and computer modeling, we present a possible relation between the viscosity B coefficient and a local structural property of the solution. In particular, B appears in the Jones-Dole. relation and its sign is traditionally used to characterize a solute as “structuremaker” or “breaker”.We find that B is linearly correlated to the difference between the average solutewater distance and the waterwater distance in the pure liquid, in the case of. monovalent electrolyte solutions."

Emerging mechanisms of innate immunity and their translational potential in inflammatory bowel disease.

Activation of the innate immune system through pattern-recognition receptor (PRR) signaling plays a pivotal role in the early induction of host defense following exposure to pathogens. Loss of intestinal innate immune regulation leading aberrant immune responses has been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The precise role of PRRs in gut inflammation is not well understood, but considering their role as bacterial sensors and their genetic association with IBD, they likely contribute to dysregulated immune responses to the commensal microbiota. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the emerging functions of PRRs including their functional cross-talk, how they respond to mitochondrial damage, induce mitophagy or autophagy, and influence adaptive immune responses by interacting with the antigen presentation machinery. The review also summarizes some of the recent attempts to harness these pathways for therapeutic approaches in intestinal inflammation

New insights into the dichotomous role of innate cytokines in gut homeostasis and inflammation

In addition to their well-known role in acute injury and chronic inflammation, “innate” cytokines play an important role in health and the maintenance of normal immune homeostasis. This group includes the prototypic cytokines IL-1 and TNF alpha, as well as several other members belonging to the IL-1 and TNF family, such as IL-18, IL-33, IL-36-38, and TL1A. The dichotomous role of these cytokines has been best characterized in the intestine where innate cytokines may play both a protective and a pro-inflammatory role, depending upon the immmunological status of the host or the type and phase of the inflammatory process. This new information has produced novel pathogenetic hypotheses that have important translational implications both in regard to the prevention and treatment of chronic intestinal inflammation, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, the two major forms of inflammatory bowel disease. This review will discuss and summarize current data regarding the role of IL-1, TNF alpha, and their family members in regulating gut mucosal homeostasis and chronic intestinal inflammation. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd

Viscosity of Aqueous Solutions and Local Microscopic Structure

The effect of solutes on the structure of water has been debated intensively over the past years. Typical scenarios label different ions as water structure “makers” or “breakers”: this is a quite elusive definition, which has been first introduced in the description of the effect of solutes on the viscosity of water and, although criticized, is still used in the current literature. Here, using a combination of neutron diffraction and computer modeling, we present a possible relation between the viscosity B coefficient and a local structural property of the solution. In particular, B appears in the JonesDole relation and its sign is traditionally used to characterize a solute as “structuremaker” or “breaker”.We find that B is linearly correlated to the difference between the average solutewater distance and the waterwater distance in the pure liquid, in the case of monovalent electrolyte solutions