The Oxidative state of LDL is the major determinant of anti/prooxidant effect of coffee on Cu²⁺ catalysed peroxidation

Antioxidants exert contrasting effect on low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation catalysed by metals, acting as pro-oxidants under select in vitro conditions. Through our study on the effect of coffee on LDL oxidation, we identified the parameters governing this phenomenon, contributing to the comprehension of its mechanism and discovering significant implications for correct alimentary recommendations. By measuring conjugated diene formation, we have analysed the quantitative and qualitative effects exerted by an extract of roasted coffee on LDL oxidation triggered by copper sulphate. When the relative effects of different coffee concentrations were plotted against the lag time (LT) of control LDL (C-LDL), the apparently random experimental data arranged in sensible patterns: by increasing the LT the antioxidant activity of coffee decreased progressively to become prooxidant. The critical LT, at which coffee switches from antioxidant to prooxidant, increased by increasing coffee concentration. Also the contrasting results obtained following a delayed addition of coffee to the assay, arranged in a simple pattern when referred to the LT of C-LDL: the prooxidant effect decreased to become antioxidant as the LT of C-LDL increased. The dependence of coffee effect on the LT of C-LDL was influenced by LDL but not by metal catalyst concentration. These novel findings point to the oxidative state of LDL as a major parameter controlling the anti/prooxidant effect of coffee and suggest the LT of C-LDL as a potent analytical tool to express experimental data when studying the action exerted by a compound on LDL oxidation

group b streptococcal meningitis a description of six case reports

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is considered the leading bacterial cause of neonatal infections and meningitis is the most serious manifestation. Its clinical manifestations are usually non-specific and its signs and symptoms may be subtle, unspecific, vague, atypical or absent. We report six clinical cases of GBS meningitis with early onset in three infants (first week of life) and late onset (after 1 month of life) in the remaining three. Prenatal GBS screening, performed on four infants, resulted positive only in one case. Cerebral ultrasonography showed high sensitivity in detecting early meningeal involvement confirmed by MRI in all infants. Our study describes the clinical characteristics, antibiotic sensitivity and outcome of the six cases. The results of our analysis emphasize the severity of GBS meningitis and show that cerebrovascular involvement is a common but poorly studied pathologic process in GBS meningitis. In addition, cranial ultrasonography plays an important role in detecting infarctions, cerebritis, hemorrhages or abscesses and in monitoring complications. Neonates with GBS meningitis are prone to adverse outcomes or sequelae. Mortality in GBS meningitis approaches 30% and neurologic sequelae are present in 25% of cases. Int J Clin Pediatr. 2015;4(1):127-136 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/ijcp179

Once we were bacteria… mitochondria to infinity and beyond

Mitochondria, cytoplasmic organelles originated from endosymbiotic bacteria, can be metaphorically described using “Janus bifrons” image, due to their involvement in life, providing cellular energy and resulting essential even for stem cells, but playing a key role also in cell death. Mitochondria own a maternally inherited genome and are the site of aerobic respiration; they can produce proteins, nucleotides, lipids, steroids and heme and result involved in iron homeostasis. Moreover, mitochondria can generate free radicals, break down waste products and represent the primary source of cellular heat. The size and shape of mitochondria depend on the intracellular metabolic status, from tubular presentation to a blob form in case of irreversible damage. Each mitochondrion carries different sets of DNA; when one set accumulates mutations, it can be replaced by another. It has been widely demonstrated that mitochondrial disorders are involved in many pathologies, including autism, multiple endocrinopathies, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, ataxia, Barth’s syndrome, myopathy, and even aging and cancer. Human population is characterized by different mitochondrial DNA haplogroups reflecting the mutations accumulated and useful to characterize genetic diversity. The mitochondrial role also results relevant in pregnancy, providing information about maternal-fetal dyad in physiological and in pathological conditions. Recent evidence suggests that an intriguing bidirectional inter-talk exists between microbiota and mitochondria, influencing cellular homeostasis and metabolism. A recently demonstrated mitochondrial property is the possibility to be transferred from a donor cell to a recipient cell, through a system of tunneling nanotubes. Recently, a promising integrated approach involving omics sophisticate technologies has been applied in mitochondrial pathophysiology. This is still at an early stage, and further studies will clarify such complex genotype-phenotype relationships. In conclusion, mitochondria are not simple energetic organelles but represent dynamic structures communicating with the cell nucleus and even with other cells, influencing metabolism and their targets’ functions. More detailed knowledge of their involvement in disease, even though a combined omics approach, could represent a chance for new therapies

Urinary Metabolites Reveal Hyperinsulinemia and Insulin Resistance in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

The identification of insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is not a minor issue. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index (HOMA) is the most used index of IR (Insulin Resistance), validated in overweight and obese patients but not in normal-weight PCOS subjects, who can still present with increased insulin secretion by an oral glucose tolerance test [OGTT]. The evaluation of insulin secretion and resistance represents a still unresolved problem. The aim of this study is to identify a possible yet noninvasive method to properly evaluate the insulin metabolism in young non-diabetic subjects. Girls aged 14–22 years, afferent to the center of Gynecological Diseases in Childhood and Adolescence of Cagliari (Italy), were screened for PCOS. A total of 42 subjects comprised the study group. Hormonal assays, OGTT, transabdominal (TA) or transvaginal (TV) US, and urine collection for 1H-NMR analysis were assayed in the early follicular phase. A 1H-NMR coupled multivariate statistical analysis was performed. The OPLS model indicated that the NMR profile of urine had a good fit and prediction ability for the AUC OGTT with R2 = 0.813. Metabolomics can be a promising tool to the potential identification of biomarkers of an exaggerated insulin response to OGTT and can encourage substantial progress for a more accurate and early diagnosis in PCOS

Multipotent stem cells of mother's milk

In recent years the presence of stem cells (hBSCs: human breastmilkderived stem cells) and epithelial progenitors has been demonstrated in mother’s milk (MM). Stem cells present in samples of fresh MM exhibit a high degree of vitality and this makes possible the performance of cell cultures and to evaluate the differentiation capacity of the hBSCs. The most important datum that expresses the enormous potential of the use of MM stem cells is the presence of a cell population capable of differentiating into the three mesoderm, endoderm and ectoderm lines. The small number of studies and MM samples analyzed and the different sampling methods applied suggest standardization in the collection, analysis and culture of MM in future studies, in consideration of the well-known extreme variability of MM composition, also from the standpoint of cells. The analysis of literature data confirms the uniqueness of MM and its enormous potential

The Oxidative State of LDL is the Major Determinant of Anti/Prooxidant Effect of Coffee on Cu2+ Catalysed Peroxidation

Antioxidants exert contrasting effect on low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation catalysed by metals, acting as pro-oxidants under select in vitro conditions. Through our study on the effect of coffee on LDL oxidation, we identified the parameters governing this phenomenon, contributing to the comprehension of its mechanism and discovering significant implications for correct alimentary recommendations. By measuring conjugated diene formation, we have analysed the quantitative and qualitative effects exerted by an extract of roasted coffee on LDL oxidation triggered by copper sulphate. When the relative effects of different coffee concentrations were plotted against the lag time (LT) of control LDL (C-LDL), the apparently random experimental data arranged in sensible patterns: by increasing the LT the antioxidant activity of coffee decreased progressively to become prooxidant. The critical LT, at which coffee switches from antioxidant to prooxidant, increased by increasing coffee concentration. Also the contrasting results obtained following a delayed addition of coffee to the assay, arranged in a simple pattern when referred to the LT of C-LDL: the prooxidant effect decreased to become antioxidant as the LT of C-LDL increased. The dependence of coffee effect on the LT of C-LDL was influenced by LDL but not by metal catalyst concentration. These novel findings point to the oxidative state of LDL as a major parameter controlling the anti/prooxidant effect of coffee and suggest the LT of C-LDL as a potent analytical tool to express experimental data when studying the action exerted by a compound on LDL oxidation

Cytoprotective, antioxidant, and anti-migratory activity of Pistacia lentiscus L. supercritical carbon dioxide extract on primary human endothelial cells

Green chemistry is a useful tool for producing valuable chemicals from biomass. However, extracted compounds need to be tested for safety and efficacy before their use in humans. Here we investigate the chemical composition and biological effects of a leaves Pistacia lentiscus L. supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2) extract. Terpenes represented the main extract fraction, with Germacrene D (11.18%), delta-cadinene (10.54%), and alpha-pinene (8.7%) the most abundant molecules. Challenged with endothelial cells (ECs), increasing extract concentrations failed to affect cell proliferation or promote cell toxicity. ROS assessment in unstressed and H2O2-treated ECs revealed an extract dose-dependent antioxidant activity. Exposition of H2O2-treated ECs to increasing extract concentrations dose-dependently counteracted H2O2-induced cell impairments. The extract significantly counteracted fetal calf serum-induced ECs migration. For the first time, we report that a SCCO2 extract obtained from PL leaves is safe on ECs and may be a useful source of valuable compounds with vasculoprotective properties.Open Access funding was provided by the Qatar National Library

Emergenza Covid e organi costituzionali

Forum sul potere politico di fronte all'emergenza Covi

European consensus conference on faecal microbiota transplantation in clinical practice

Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is an important therapeutic option for Clostridium difficile infection. Promising findings suggest that FMT may play a role also in the management of other disorders associated with the alteration of gut microbiota. Although the health community is assessing FMT with renewed interest and patients are becoming more aware, there are technical and logistical issues in establishing such a non-standardised treatment into the clinical practice with safety and proper governance. In view of this, an evidence-based recommendation is needed to drive the practical implementation of FMT. In this European Consensus Conference, 28 experts from 10 countries collaborated, in separate working groups and through an evidence-based process, to provide statements on the following key issues: FMT indications; donor selection; preparation of faecal material; clinical management and faecal delivery and basic requirements for implementing an FMT centre. Statements developed by each working group were evaluated and voted by all members, first through an electronic Delphi process, and then in a plenary consensus conference. The recommendations were released according to best available evidence, in order to act as guidance for physicians who plan to implement FMT, aiming at supporting the broad availability of the procedure, discussing other issues relevant to FMT and promoting future clinical research in the area of gut microbiota manipulation. This consensus report strongly recommends the implementation of FMT centres for the treatment of C. difficile infection as well as traces the guidelines of technicality, regulatory, administrative and laboratory requirements.Peer reviewe

International consensus conference on stool banking for faecal microbiota transplantation in clinical practice

Although faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has a well-established role in the treatment of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), its widespread dissemination is limited by several obstacles, including lack of dedicated centres, difficulties with donor recruitment and complexities related to regulation and safety monitoring. Given the considerable burden of CDI on global healthcare systems, FMT should be widely available to most centres. Stool banks may guarantee reliable, timely and equitable access to FMT for patients and a traceable workflow that ensures safety and quality of procedures. In this consensus project, FMT experts from Europe, North America and Australia gathered and released statements on the following issues related to the stool banking: general principles, objectives and organisation of the stool bank; selection and screening of donors; collection, preparation and storage of faeces; services and clients; registries, monitoring of outcomes and ethical issues; and the evolving role of FMT in clinical practice, Consensus on each statement was achieved through a Delphi process and then in a plenary face-to-face meeting. For each key issue, the best available evidence was assessed, with the aim of providing guidance for the development of stool banks in order to promote accessibility to FMT in clinical practice.Peer reviewe