Pomegranate extract affects fungal biofilm production: consumption of phenolic compounds and alteration of fungal autoinducers release

Candida albicans expresses numerous virulence factors that contribute to pathogenesis, including its dimorphic transition and even biofilm formation, through the release of specific quorum sensing molecules, such as the autoinducers (AI) tyrosol and farnesol. In particular, once organized as biofilm, Candida cells can elude conventional antifungal therapies and the host’s immune defenses as well. Accordingly, biofilm-associated infections become a major clinical challenge underlining the need of innovative antimicrobial approaches. The aim of this in vitro study was to assess the effects of pomegranate peel extract (PomeGr) on C. albicans growth and biofilm formation; in addition, the release of tyrosol and farnesol was investigated. The phenolic profile of PomeGr was assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS) analysis before and after exposure to C. albicans. Here, we showed that fungal growth, biofilm formation and AI release were altered by PomeGr treatment. Moreover, the phenolic content of PomeGr was substantially hampered upon exposure to fungal cells; particularly pedunculagin, punicalin, punicalagin, granatin, di-(HHDP-galloyl-hexoside)-pentoside and their isomers as well as ellagic acid–hexoside appeared highly consumed, suggesting their role as bioactive molecules against Candida. Overall, these new insights on the anti-Candida properties of PomeGr and its potential mechanisms of action may represent a relevant step in the design of novel therapeutic approaches against fungal infections

The "Snacking Child" and its social network: some insights from an italian survey

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The hypothesis underlying this work is that the social network of a child might have an impact on the alimentary behaviors, in particular for what concerns snack consumption patterns.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>1215 Italian children 6-10 ys old were interviewed using a CATI facility in January 2010. 608 "snackers" and 607 "no-snackers" were identified. Information regarding family composition, child and relatives BMI, mother perception of child weight, child, father and mother physical activity, TV watching, social network, leisure time habits and dietary habits of peers, were collected. Association of variables with the status of snacker was investigated using a multivariable logistic regression model.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Snackers children seem to be part of more numerous social network (1.40 friends vs 1.14, p = 0.042) where the majority of peers are also eating snacks, this percentage being significantly higher (89.5 vs 76.3, p < 0.001) than in the "no-snacker" group. The snacking group is identified by the fact that it tends to practice at least 4 hours per week of physical activity (OR: 1.36, CI: 1.03-1.9). No evidence of an association between snacking consumption and overweight status has been shown by our study.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The snacking child has more active peer-to-peer social relationships, mostly related with sport activities. However, spending leisure time in sportive activities implies being part of a social environment which is definitely a positive one from the point of view of obesity control, and indeed, no increase of overweight/obesity is seen in relation to snack consumption.</p

Reconstituted extracellular matrix improve osteoblastic differentiation onto titanium surfaces

Electrospinning technique is an efficient processing method to manufacture micro- and nano-sized fibrous structures by electrostatic force for different applications. In biomaterial field, electrospinning technique has been successfully utilized to prepare new drug delivery materials and tissue engineering scaffolds. Fiber mats of biodegradable polymers having a diameter in the nano- to submicro-scale can be considered to mimic the nanofibrous structure of native extracellular matrix (ECM). Native extracellular matrix, constituted of proteins and polysaccharides improving cells growth in its nanofibrous porous structure, controls not only the cell phenotype, but the whole structure of the biological tissues. In the present study we investigated the effect of electrospun reconstituted collagen fibers onto metals for oral implants devices manufacturing as far as the osteoblastic differentiation potential of stem cells and cytofunctionality of osteoblasts in-vitro. The cells cultured onto titanium samples coated with ECM constituents showed faster osteoblastic differentiation and more efficient deposition of mineralized matrix in comparison with those onto uncoated substrates

Calorimetric and Raman investigation of cow\u2019s milk lactoferrin

Lactoferrin (LF), a non-heme iron-binding protein of blood plasma and milk with antioxidant, cariostatic, anticarcinogenic, and anti-inflammatory properties, has been studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Raman spectroscopy over a wide pH range (4.0\u20139.0). Using these two techniques, the modifications in the quantity of iron bounded in the cow\u2019s milk LF and in the secondary structures, as a function of pH and heating, have been evaluated. DSC curves showed higher value of denaturation temperatures and enthalpy changes when LF was saturated with iron (holo-form) than when it was in its unsaturated form (apo-form). The denaturation curves of the protein solutions at pH &#8805; 5.5 confirming that LF is a mix of apo- and holo-forms; on the contrary at pH 4.0, the holo-form is practically absent. Spectroscopic investigation showed that, as a function of pH, the content of &#945;-helix increases up to pH 7.4, followed by a small decrease by further pH increase. The &#946;-sheet percentage exhibits the opposite behavior, while the random-coil and turn structures do not change noticeably. In contrast, after heat-induced denaturation, strong variations were observed in the secondary structure, with an evident increase of &#946;-sheet and decrease of the &#945;-helix percentage. Finally, both thermal and spectroscopic analysis pointed out that the structure of cow\u2019s milk LF is strictly sensible to pH variation and it has the highest thermal stability at physiological pH

Calorimetric and spectroscopic investigation of lactoferrin.

Lactoferrin (LF) is a non-heme iron-binding protein that is a pari of the transferrin protein family, whose rel\ue8 is to transport iron in blood serum. LF is 80 kDa glycosylated protein of about 700 aminoacids with high homology among species. It is a simple polypeptide chain folded into two symmetrical lobes (N and C lobes), which are highly homologous with each another (33-41% homology). These two lobes are connected by a hinge region containing parts of an a-helix between aminoacids 333 and 343 in human LF. The polypeptide chain includes amino acids 1-332 for the N lobe and 344-703 for the C lobe and is made up of o-helix and (5-sheet structures that create two domains for each lobe (domains I and II). Each lobe can bind a melai atom in synergy with the carbonate ion (CO,2"). LF has a great iron-binding affinity and it is the only transferrin with the ability to hold this metal over a wide pH range, including extremely acidic pH. It also exhibits a great resistance to proteolysis. In addition to these differences, LF's nel positive charge and its distribution in various tissues make it a multifunctional protein. It is involved in severa! physiological functions: regulation of iron absorption in the bowel, immune responso, antioxidant, cariostatic, antianemic, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory properties and protection against microbial infection