Antimicrobial properties of rosin acids-loaded nanoparticles against antibiotic-sensitive and antibiotic-resistant foodborne pathogens

Rosin acids (RA) from coniferous trees are used in folk medicine for healing various skin infections. Despite the antimicrobial potential of RA, their poor solubility in aqueous media may limit their use. In this work RA-loaded polyethylene glycol-poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (RA-NPs) with enhanced antimicrobial properties against foodborne bacterial pathogens were produced. RA-NPs were prepared by solvent displacement technique and characterized for relevant colloidal features by dynamic light scattering, laser Doppler anemometry and transmission electron microscopy. Association of RA to NPs occurred with high yields (86% w/w). RA and RA-NPs (~130 nm) were strongly active against antibiotic-sensitive Gram + pathogens, i.e. Clostridium perfringens, Listeria monocytogenes and antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. However, both failed in inhibiting the growth of Gram – pathogens (Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica). Association to NPs enhanced the antimicrobial activity of RA. MIC, IC 50 , IC 90 , and MBC values of RA-NPs were ten-times lower than RA. RA-NPs did not change the intrinsic toxicity potential of RA. This is the first study on the enhancement of the antimicrobial activity of RA when associated to nanocarriers. This approach may be an effective strategy to produce aqueous-based RA solutions with enhanced antimicrobial activity against antibiotic-sensitive and antibiotic-resistant Gram + pathogens.The authors thank Prof. Filip Van Immerseel for providing the C. perfringens CP56 strains and ADRIA d_eveloppement for providing the strains indicated with the letters AD in this study. The authors also thank NFT S.r.l. for providing purified rosinic acids, and the i3S Scientific Platform Biointerfaces and Nanotechnology (BN) for assistance in DLS/LDAmeasurements

Randomized trial on the effects of a combined physical/cognitive training in aged MCI subjects: the Train the Brain study

Age-related cognitive impairment and dementia are an increasing societal burden. Epidemiological studies indicate that lifestyle factors, e.g. physical, cognitive and social activities, correlate with reduced dementia risk; moreover, positive effects on cognition of physical/cognitive training have been found in cognitively unimpaired elders. Less is known about effectiveness and action mechanisms of physical/cognitive training in elders already suffering from Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), a population at high risk for dementia. We assessed in 113 MCI subjects aged 65-89 years, the efficacy of combined physical-cognitive training on cognitive decline, Gray Matter (GM) volume loss and Cerebral Blood Flow (CBF) in hippocampus and parahippocampal areas, and on brain-blood-oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) activity elicited by a cognitive task, measured by ADAS-Cog scale, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) and fMRI, respectively, before and after 7 months of training vs. usual life. Cognitive status significantly decreased in MCI-no training and significantly increased in MCI-training subjects; training increased parahippocampal CBF, but no effect on GM volume loss was evident; BOLD activity increase, indicative of neural efficiency decline, was found only in MCI-no training subjects. These results show that a non pharmacological, multicomponent intervention improves cognitive status and indicators of brain health in MCI subjects

Mobilise-D insights to estimate real-world walking speed in multiple conditions with a wearable device

This study aimed to validate a wearable device’s walking speed estimation pipeline, considering complexity, speed, and walking bout duration. The goal was to provide recommendations on the use of wearable devices for real-world mobility analysis. Participants with Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Proximal Femoral Fracture, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Congestive Heart Failure, and healthy older adults (n = 97) were monitored in the laboratory and the real-world (2.5 h), using a lower back wearable device. Two walking speed estimation pipelines were validated across 4408/1298 (2.5 h/laboratory) detected walking bouts, compared to 4620/1365 bouts detected by a multi-sensor reference system. In the laboratory, the mean absolute error (MAE) and mean relative error (MRE) for walking speed estimation ranged from 0.06 to 0.12 m/s and − 2.1 to 14.4%, with ICCs (Intraclass correlation coefficients) between good (0.79) and excellent (0.91). Real-world MAE ranged from 0.09 to 0.13, MARE from 1.3 to 22.7%, with ICCs indicating moderate (0.57) to good (0.88) agreement. Lower errors were observed for cohorts without major gait impairments, less complex tasks, and longer walking bouts. The analytical pipelines demonstrated moderate to good accuracy in estimating walking speed. Accuracy depended on confounding factors, emphasizing the need for robust technical validation before clinical application. Trial registration: ISRCTN – 12246987

Quantificação dos parâmetros do metabolismo do nitrogênio em ovelhas em jejum

Se sometieron tres ovinos machos enteros de la raza Merino precoz, de 50.8 kg de peso promedio inicial, a ocho días de ayuno, observando diariamente el peso vivo y la excreción de heces y orina. Se analizaron muestras para determinar las concentraciones de materia seca fecal y nitrógeno fecal y urinario. Por regresión se estimó la pérdida de peso real (PPR, excluyendo peso fecal) en 66.6 g diarios. El nitrógeno movilizado (NM) se calculó multiplicando el PPR por el valor presumido de 16% proteína bruta en el tejido perdido. Por los interceptos de las regresiones de excreciones de nitrógeno urinario y de nitrógeno fecal vs. Tiempo, se estimaron nitrógeno endógeno urinario (NEU) y nitrógeno metabólico fecal (NMF) en 317 y 59 mg por unidad de peso metabólico (W0.75), respectivamente. Mediante metodología análoga se estimó el nitrógeno neto basal (NNB), tomado como la suma NEU + NMF, en 364 mm/W0.75, y el nitrógeno reciclado (NR, tomado como la diferencia NM – ENU, en 16,76 g diarios. El requerimiento de proteína de manutención se estimó de dos modos en 5.4 g/W0.75, como (NNB × 6.25) dividido por un factor de eficiencia de 45.64%.Three whole male sheep of the early Merino breed, with an initial average weight of 50.8 kg, were subjected to eight days of fasting, observing the live weight and the excretion of feces and urine on a daily basis. Samples were analyzed to determine the concentrations of fecal dry matter and fecal and urinary nitrogen. By regression, the real weight loss (PPR, excluding fecal weight) was estimated at 66.6 g per day. The mobilized nitrogen (NM) was calculated by multiplying the PPR by the presumed value of 16% crude protein in the lost tissue. By the intercepts of the regressions of urinary nitrogen and fecal nitrogen excretions vs. Time, endogenous urinary nitrogen (NEU) and fecal metabolic nitrogen (NMF) were estimated at 317 and 59 mg per unit of metabolic weight (W0.75), respectively. By analogous methodology, the basal net nitrogen (NNB), taken as the sum NEU + NMF, was estimated at 364 mm / W0.75, and the recycled nitrogen (NR, taken as the difference NM - ENU, at 16.76 g per day The maintenance protein requirement was estimated in two ways at 5.4 g / W0.75, as (NNB × 6.25) divided by an efficiency factor of 45.64%.Três ovinos machos inteiros da raça Merino precoce, com peso médio inicial de 50,8 kg, foram submetidos a jejum de oito dias, sendo observado o peso vivo e a excreção de fezes e urina diariamente. As amostras foram analisadas para determinar as concentrações de matéria seca fecal e nitrogênio fecal e urinário. Por regressão, a perda de peso real (PPR, excluindo o peso fecal) foi estimada em 66,6 g por dia. O nitrogênio mobilizado (NM) foi calculado multiplicando o PPR pelo valor presumido de 16% de proteína bruta no tecido perdido. Pelas interceptações das regressões de nitrogênio urinário e excreções de nitrogênio fecal vs. O tempo, o nitrogênio urinário endógeno (NEU) e o nitrogênio metabólico fecal (NMF) foram estimados em 317 e 59 mg por unidade de peso metabólico (S0,75), respectivamente. Por metodologia análoga, o nitrogênio líquido basal (NNB), tomado como a soma NEU + NMF, foi estimado em 364 mm / W0,75, e o nitrogênio reciclado (NR, tomado como a diferença NM - ENU, em 16,76 g por dia A necessidade de proteína de manutenção foi estimada de duas maneiras em 5,4 g / W0,75, como (NNB × 6,25) dividido por um fator de eficiência de 45,64%

Antimicrobial properties of rosin acids-loaded nanoparticles against antibiotic-sensitive and antibiotic-resistant foodborne pathogens

Rosin acids (RA) from coniferous trees are used in folk medicine for healing various skin infections. Despite the antimicrobial potential of RA, their poor solubility in aqueous media may limit their use. In this work RA-loaded polyethylene glycol-poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (RA-NPs) with enhanced antimicrobial properties against foodborne bacterial pathogens were produced. RA-NPs were prepared by solvent displacement technique and characterized for relevant colloidal features by dynamic light scattering, laser Doppler anemometry and transmission electron microscopy. Association of RA to NPs occurred with high yields (86% w/w). RA and RA-NPs (~130 nm) were strongly active against antibiotic-sensitive Gram + pathogens, i.e. Clostridium perfringens, Listeria monocytogenes and antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. However, both failed in inhibiting the growth of Gram – pathogens (Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica). Association to NPs enhanced the antimicrobial activity of RA. MIC, IC 50 , IC 90 , and MBC values of RA-NPs were ten-times lower than RA. RA-NPs did not change the intrinsic toxicity potential of RA. This is the first study on the enhancement of the antimicrobial activity of RA when associated to nanocarriers. This approach may be an effective strategy to produce aqueous-based RA solutions with enhanced antimicrobial activity against antibiotic-sensitive and antibiotic-resistant Gram + pathogens.The authors thank Prof. Filip Van Immerseel for providing the C. perfringens CP56 strains and ADRIA d_eveloppement for providing the strains indicated with the letters AD in this study. The authors also thank NFT S.r.l. for providing purified rosinic acids, and the i3S Scientific Platform Biointerfaces and Nanotechnology (BN) for assistance in DLS/LDAmeasurements

Recurrency of ventricular arrhythmias after myocardial infarction: correlation with left ventricular function assessed by STI

Background. A myocardial strain reduction by speckle tracking imaging (STI) can potentially be a direct indicator of non-viable myocardium and sudden cardiac death (SCD) risk and could help in identifying high-risk patients currently missed by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) criteria. We aimed to compare strain data of patients with structural heart disease with and without ventricular tachycardia (VT) regardless of LVEF. Methods. We studied 84 patients (pts) with previous myocardial infarction (age, 60±14 years) scheduled for cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation. Forty-two pts had documented VT and 42 pts presented with no VT. Exclusion criteria were previous coronary artery surgery, moderate-severe or severe valve regurgitation, atrial fibrillation, and left bundle branch block. Left ventricular (LV) function and volumes and score index were determined by two-dimensional echocardiography. Longitudinal LV strain was defined as the average of negative longitudinal strains of 6 segments of the septal and lateral walls in the apical 4-chamber view. Average radial and circumferential strain of 6 mid-LV segments was determined in the mid-short-axis view. Global strain was obtained by averaging the maximum systolic shortening in a 16-segment model. The analysis of strain parameters was performed offline using customized computer software (EchoPAC, version 9.0, GE Ultrasound). Results. No statistical difference in LVEF and LV volumes was shown in pts with recurrent ventricular arrhythmias and those without VT. There were no differences in QRS and QTc duration or in standard global and regional LV function echocardiographic parameters between pts with or without VT occurring during follow-up. Multivariate analysis revealed that global (p=0.021) and posterior wall circumferential strain (p=0.006) were strong and independent predictors of the occurrence of arrhythmic events. The area under the curve (AUC) for QTc was 0.33 yielding a sensitivity and specificity of, respectively, 51% and 63% to predict arrhythmias and AUC for EF was 0.49 yielding a sensitivity and specificity of, respectively, 54% and 68%. AUC for posterior wall circumferential strain was 0.78 and the optimal cutoff value -6.4% for a sensitivity of 69% and a specificity of 88% in predicting arrhythmic events. Conclusions. In patients with previous myocardial infarction scheduled for ICD therapy circumferential strain was the strongest predictor of spontaneous ventricular arrhythmias among other clinical and echocardiographic variables such as score index and LV function and volumes

Right heart function in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome by three-dimensional echocardiography and speckle tracking echocardiography

Purpose. It is known that obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) can affect right ventricular (RV) performance even in the absence of systemic hypertension and other known cardiac or obstructive pulmonary disease. We assessed changes in ventricular parameters determined by three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) and speckle tracking imaging (STI) before and after continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment. Methods. We recruited 31 patients with OSAS and 31 healthy subjects without signs of cardiopulmonary dysfunction. OSAS was defined as apnea hypopnea index (AHI) ≥5 events per hour. Twelve patients with severe OSAS (AHI≥30) underwent chronic nocturnal nasal CPAP therapy. RV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes were measured from three-dimensional echocardiographic datasets and right ventricular ejection fraction (3D-RVEF) was calculated. Pulmonary arterial systolic pressure was obtained by standard Doppler methods. Pulmonary hypertension was defined as a pulmonary artery systolic pressure of 40 mmHg or greater. To assess regional and global RV systolic function in the longitudinal direction using STI, we adopted a 6-segment RV model (basal RV lateral wall, mid RV lateral wall, apical RV wall, apical septum, mid septum, and basal septum). RV peak systolic strain and time to peak-systolic strain from the onset of QRS were recorded for the 6 RV myocardial segments and for the entire RV myocardium (EchoPAC BT09, GE Ultrasound). Global longitudinal strain was calculated by averaging local strains along the entire right ventricle using machine software. RV dyssynchrony (RV-SD6) was defined as the standard deviation of the six time to peak systolic strain values. Results. 3D-RVEF was lower in patients with OSAS and pulmonary hypertension compared to the control group (p<0.001) and compared to patients with OSAS and normal pulmonary pressure (p<0.05). A significant correlation was found between RV-SD6 and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (r = 0.74, p <0.005) and between RV-SD6 and AHI (r = 0.77, p <0.001). The group treated with CPAP had a significant decrease in pulmonary artery systolic pressure, total pulmonary vascular resistance and RV-SD6 as well as significant increase in 3D-RVEF. By multivariate analysis, RV-SD6 (p=0.006) and 3D-RVEF (p=0.03) were predictive of AHI

Assessment of right ventricular function by three-dimensional echocardiography and myocardial strain imaging in adult atrial septal defect before and after percutaneous closure

Real-time three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography allows us to measure right ventricular (RV) end-diastolic volume irrespective of its shape. Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and speckle tracking imaging (STI) are new tools to assess myocardial function. We sought to evaluate RV function by 3D echocardiography and myocardial strain imaging in adult patients with atrial septal defect (ASD) before and 6 months after transcatheter closure in order to assess the utility of these new indexes in comparison with standard two-dimensional (2D) and Doppler parameters. Thirty-nine ASD patients and 39 healthy age- and sex-matched controls were studied using a commercially available cardiovascular ultrasound system. 2D-Doppler parameters of RV function (fractional area change, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, myocardial performance index) were calculated. 3D RV volumes were also obtained. RV peak-systolic velocities, peak-systolic strain, and peak systolic and diastolic strain-rate were measured in the basal, mid and apical segments of lateral and septal walls in apical 4-chamber view by TDI and STI. In open ASD, RV ejection fraction (3D-RVEF) and global and regional RV longitudinal strain were significantly higher than control group and decreased significantly after closure. By multivariate analysis 3D-RVEF, apical strain and strain rate were independent predictors of functional class. ROC analysis showed 3D-RVEF and apical strain to be more sensitive predictors of unfavorable outcome after defect closure compared to 2D-Doppler indexes. 3D echocardiography and myocardial strain imaging give useful insights in the quantitative assessment of RV function in ASD patients before and after closure