345 research outputs found
Syndecan-4 knockout leads to reduced extracellular transglutaminase-2 and protects against tubulointerstitial fibrosis
Transglutaminase type 2 (TG2) is an extracellular matrix crosslinking enzyme with a pivotal role in kidney fibrosis. The interaction of TG2 with the heparan sulfate proteoglycan syndecan-4 (Sdc4) regulates the cell surface trafficking, localization, and activity of TG2 in vitro but remains unstudied in vivo. We tested the hypothesis that Sdc4 is required for cell surface targeting of TG2 and the development of kidney fibrosis in CKD. Wild-type and Sdc4-null mice were subjected to unilateral ureteric obstruction and aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN) as experimental models of kidney fibrosis. Analysis of renal scarring by Masson trichrome staining, kidney hydroxyproline levels, and collagen immunofluorescence demonstrated progressive fibrosis associated with increases in extracellular TG2 and TG activity in the tubulointerstitium in both models. Knockout of Sdc-4 reduced these effects and prevented AAN-induced increases in total and active TGF-b1. In wild-type mice subjected to AAN, extracellular TG2 colocalized with Sdc4 in the tubular interstitium and basement membrane, where TG2 also colocalized with heparan sulfate chains. Heparitinase I, which selectively cleaves heparan sulfate, completely abolished extracellular TG2 in normal and diseased kidney sections. In conclusion, the lack of Sdc4 heparan sulfate chains in the kidneys of Sdc4-null mice abrogates injury-induced externalization of TG2, thereby preventing profibrotic crosslinking of extracellular matrix and recruitment of large latent TGF-b1. This finding suggests that targeting the TG2- Sdc4 interaction may provide a specific interventional strategy for the treatment of CKD
Characterization of Pseudomonas spp. Isolated from Foods
Putative Pseudomonas spp. (102 isolates) from different foods were first characterised by API 20NE and then tested for some
enzymatic activities (lipase and lecithinase production, starch hydrolysis and proteolytic activity). However subsequent molecular tests
did not always confirm the results obtained, thus highlighting the limits of API 20NE. Instead RFLP ITS1 and the sequencing of 16S rRNA
gene grouped the isolates into 6 clusters: Pseudomonas fluorescens (cluster I), Pseudomonas fragi (cluster II and V) Pseudomonas
migulae (cluster III), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (cluster IV) and Pseudomonas chicorii (cluster VI). The pectinolytic activity was typical
of species isolated from vegetable products, especially Pseudomonas fluorescens. Instead Pseudomonas fragi, predominantly isolated
from meat was characterised by proteolytic and lipolytic activities
Carnobacterium spp. in seafood packaged in modified atmosphere
The composition of lactic acid population in five kinds of seafood (salmon,tuna, shrimps, swordfish and cuttlefish) packaged in two different modified atmospheres,MAP1 (80 O2/20 N2) and MAP2 (40 CO2/60 N2), at 4 \ub0C for 6 days was investigated. The isolates were heterofermentative rods belonging to Carnobacterium, Lactobacillus, and
cocci of the Leuconostoc genus. The determination of phenotypical characters and a new polymerase chain reaction primer were used to distinguish Carnobacterium from Lactobacillus. The microorganisms found varied with the kind of seafood and the gas composition of the modified atmospheres: in MAP1, richer of oxygen than MAP2, Carnobacterium spp. represents the prevalent microbial group, especially in tuna, shrimps and swordfish, whereas MAP2 seems to favour Lactobacillus spp. Cocci, belonging to Leuconostoc spp., were dominant in salmon and cuttlefish independently of gas composition
fully solution processed conductive films based on colloidal copper selenide nanosheets for flexible electronics
A novel colloidal synthesis of copper selenide nanosheets (NSs) with lateral dimensions of up to 3 μm is developed. This material is used for the fabrication of flexible conductive films prepared via simple drop-casting of the NS dispersions without any additional treatment. The electrical performance of these coatings is benchmarked against copper selenide spherical nanocrystals (SNCs) in order to demonstrate the advantage of 2D morphology of the NSs for flexible electronics. In this contest, Cu2−xSe SNC films exhibit higher conductivity but lower reproducibility due to the formation of cracks leading to discontinuous films. Furthermore, the electrical properties of the films deposited on different flexible substrates following their bending, stretching and folding are studied. A comparison of Cu2−xSe SNC and CuSe NS films reveals an increased stability of the CuSe NS films under mechanical stress applied to the samples and their improved long-term stability in air
From pre-and probiotics to post-biotics: A narrative review
Background and aims: Gut microbiota (GM) is a complex ecosystem containing bacteria, viruses, fungi, and yeasts. It has several functions in the human body ranging from immunomodulation to metabolic. GM derangement is called dysbiosis and is involved in several host diseases. Pre-, probiotics, and symbiotics (PRE-PRO-SYMB) have been extensively developed and studied for GM re-modulation. Herein, we review the literature data regarding the new concept of postbiotics, starting from PRE-PRO-SYMB. Methods: We conducted a search on the main medical databases for original articles, reviews, meta-analyses, randomized clinical trials, and case series using the following keywords and acronyms and their associations: Gut microbiota, prebiotics, probiotics, symbiotic, and postbiotics. Results: Postbiotics account for PRO components and metabolic products able to beneficially affect host health and GM. The deeper the knowledge about them, the greater their possible uses: The prevention and treatment of atopic, respiratory tract, and inflammatory bowel diseases. Conclusions: Better knowledge about postbiotics can be useful for the prevention and treatment of several human body diseases, alone or as an add-on to PRE-PRO-SYMB
Proteomic profiling reveals the transglutaminase-2 externalization pathway in kidneys after unilateral ureteric obstruction
Increased export of transglutaminase-2 (TG2) by tubular epithelial cells (TECs) into the surrounding interstitium modifies the extracellular homeostatic balance, leading to fibrotic membrane expansion. Although silencing of extracellular TG2 ameliorates progressive kidney scarring in animal models of CKD, the pathway through which TG2 is secreted from TECs and contributes to disease progression has not been elucidated. In this study, we developed a global proteomic approach to identify binding partners of TG2 responsible for TG2 externalization in kidneys subjected to unilateral ureteric obstruction (UUO) using TG2 knockout kidneys as negative controls. We report a robust and unbiased analysis of the membrane interactome of TG2 in fibrotic kidneys relative to the entire proteome after UUO, detected by SWATH mass spectrometry. The data have been deposited to the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD008173. Clusters of exosomal proteins in the TG2 interactome supported the hypothesis that TG2 is secreted by extracellular membrane vesicles during fibrosis progression. In established TEC lines, we found TG2 in vesicles of both endosomal (exosomes) and plasma membrane origin (microvesicles/ectosomes), and TGF-β1 stimulated TG2 secretion. Knockout of syndecan-4 (SDC4) greatly impaired TG2 exosomal secretion. TG2 coprecipitated with SDC4 from exosome lysate but not ectosome lysate. Ex vivo, EGFP-tagged TG2 accumulated in globular elements (blebs) protruding/retracting from the plasma membrane of primary cortical TECs, and SDC4 knockout impaired bleb formation, affecting TG2 release. Through this combined in vivo and in vitro approach, we have dissected the pathway through which TG2 is secreted from TECs in CKD
Dust tracking techniques applied to the STARDUST facility: First results
An important issue related to future nuclear fusion reactors fueled with deuterium and tritium is the creation of large amounts of dust due to several mechanisms (disruptions, ELMs and VDEs). The dust size expected in nuclear fusion experiments (such as ITER) is in the order of microns (between 0.1 and 1000 μm). Almost the total amount of this dust remains in the vacuum vessel (VV). This radiological dust can re-suspend in case of LOVA (loss of vacuum accident) and these phenomena can cause explosions and serious damages to the health of the operators and to the integrity of the device. The authors have developed a facility, STARDUST, in order to reproduce the thermo fluid-dynamic conditions comparable to those expected inside the VV of the next generation of experiments such as ITER in case of LOVA. The dust used inside the STARDUST facility presents particle sizes and physical characteristics comparable with those that created inside the VV of nuclear fusion experiments. In this facility an experimental campaign has been conducted with the purpose of tracking the dust re-suspended at low pressurization rates (comparable to those expected in case of LOVA in ITER and suggested by the General Safety and Security Report ITER-GSSR) using a fast camera with a frame rate from 1000 to 10,000 images per second. The velocity fields of the mobilized dust are derived from the imaging of a two-dimensional slice of the flow illuminated by optically adapted laser beam. The aim of this work is to demonstrate the possibility of dust tracking by means of image processing with the objective of determining the velocity field values of dust re-suspended during a LOVA
fibromyalgia and sexual problems
The aim of this review was to describe the recent literature concerning sexual dysfunction in fibromyalgic patients. To this end, we used the common online databases PubMed, MEDLINE and EMBASE (up to June 2012) and searched for the key words fibromyalgia (FM) and sexual dysfunction. All the studies examined underlined that FM is strictly associated with sexual dysfunction in women. The major findings observed were related to a decreased sexual desire and arousal, decreased experience of orgasm, and in some studies an increase in genital pain. The psychological aspects, together with the stress related to the constant presence of chronic widespread pain, fatigue and sleep disturbances, are certainly a major factor that adversely affects the sexuality of the patient with FM. Moreover, the drugs most commonly used in these cases may interfere negatively on the sexuality and sexual function of these patients. Therefore, the therapeutic intervention should be targeted and the side effects should be weighed up against the positive effects. It is of the utmost importance to recognise the problem of sexuality and sexual dysfunction in a more complex form of its expression and undertake a multidisciplinary therapeutic intervention to improve the quality of FM patients' life
Impact of patients nutritional status on major surgery outcome
Abstract. – OBJECTIVE: Surgery is a major
stress factor that activates several inflammatory
and catabolic pathways in man. An appropriate
nutritional status allows the body to react properly
to this stressor and recover in a faster and
more efficient manner. On the other hand, malnutrition
is related to a worse surgery outcome
and to a higher prevalence of comorbidities and
mortality.
The aims of this study were to evaluate the nutritional
status of patients undergoing major surgery
and investigate the potential correlation between
malnutrition and surgical outcomes.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: Mini Nutritional
Assessment (MNA) and global clinical examination
(including biochemical parameters and
comorbidities existence) were undertaken in 50
consecutive patients undergoing major surgery.
Patients’ clinical conditions were re-evaluated at
3 and 6 days after surgery, recording biochemical
parameters and systemic and/or wound-related
complications.
RESULTS: A compromised nutritional status
was present in more than half (54%) of patients
(malnutrition in 10% and risk of malnutrition
in 44% of patients, respectively). Females
were slightly more at risk of malnutrition (48%
vs. 41%, p=NS, females vs. males) and clearly
malnourished (14% vs. 7%, p<0.05, females
vs. males). Age was an independent risk factor
for malnutrition and within the elders’ group (>
80 years old) 16.70% of patients was diagnosed
with malnutrition and 58.3% was at risk of malnutrition.
Systemic complications were registered
in all patients both at 3 and 6 days after surgery.
However, well-nourished and at-risk of malnutrition
patients had earlier complications that only
partially resolved within six days after the operation.
Malnourished patients showed fewer complications
at the 3rd post-surgery follow-up day
but had a worse outcome six days after surgery.
CONCLUSIONS: Older age and but not female
sex are independent risk factors for malnutrition
development in patients undergoing major
surgery. More interestingly, more than half
of patients with an impaired nutritional status
presented a less appropriated stress response
to surgery. These data suggest that nutritional
status assessment may be important to recognize
patients at potential risk of surgical complications
and that early nutritional interventions
must be promptly arranged
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