Type I/II interferon in HIV-1-infected patients: expression in gut mucosa and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and its modification upon probiotic supplementation

Expression of type I and II interferon (IFN) was evaluated in gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of HIV-1-positive patients on long-term, suppressive, antiretroviral therapy before and after probiotic supplementation. IFNα subtypes and IFNβ were expressed at higher levels in GALT compared to PBMC, whereas an opposite trend of expression was recorded for IFNγ. An increase of IFNα6, IFNα10, IFNα14, IFNα17, and IFNα21 and a decrease of IFNγ were observed in both anatomical sites after probiotic supplementation

Chest wall TB and low 25-hidroxy-vitamin D levels in a 15-month-old girl

Parietal chest wall tuberculosis is an extremely rare manifestation of tuberculosis (TB) in children. We present the case of a 15 month-old girl presenting with a chest wall lesion initially thought to be of neoplastic origin and eventually diagnosed as chest wall TB, which was treated with surgical debridement and specific antitubercular therapy. The girl had not-measurable 25-hidroxy-vitamin D levels, an increasingly recognized risk factor for the development of active TB. To our knowledge, in the English literature there are no similar described cases in such young infants. This case highlight the possibility of dealing with TB and its different manifestations also in low TB burden countries, due to continuously increasing migration flows. A detailed history is a key point to reach the diagnosis. Moreover, our case confirm the possible non casual relationship between TB and low 25-hidroxy-vitamin D levels, pointing out the importance of measuring its levels in all TB patients and considering its supplementation in addition to specific antitubercular therapy

Promising Perspectives on the Use of Fullerenes as Efficient Containers for Beryllium Atoms

The possibility of using fullerenes as containers for toxic beryllium atoms is studied by a multi-scale approach in which first-principles and classical molecular dynamics simulations are combined. By studying the energetics, electronic and spectroscopic properties of Be-fullerene systems and by simulating their interaction at finite temperature in vacuo and in representative biological environments it is concluded that: i) Be endohedral complexes can be obtained by implanting Be atoms at energies >2.3 eV that is consistent with laser implantation technologies; ii) it is in principle possible to distinguish stable endohedral complexes from metastable exohedral ones by optical absorption, suggesting that optical spectroscopy can be a valuable a non-destructive technique to assist the synthesis and the control of implanted films iii) the Be-endohedral complexes are long-lived and thermodynamically stable and can confine beryllium both in vacuo and in aqueous solution; iv) Be@C60 complexes are likely unable to penetrate the selectivity filters of a prototypical protein showing that fullerene prevents undesired interactions with biomolecules and toxicity effects of Be2+ related to replacement of the Ca2+. Overall, these results provide an assessment on the possibility to encapsulate Be atoms into fullerenes by ion implantation to synthesize inert and highly stable and safe molecular containers for toxic beryllium radionuclides. Great opportunities are expected for the realization and application of Be-C60 complexes to nanotechnology and nanomedicine with particularly appealing perspectives in the field of neutron capture therapy of cancer

Colour measurement and documentation in historical buildings: the case study of the Kirna Manor House in Estonia

Historical buildings and their decorative apparatus have a key role in the transmission of national and local traditions, requiring careful conservation of these structures and their overlapping decorative layers, mostly made up of stuccos and coatings. Unfortunately, the procedures and methodologies for both documenting and preserving such cultural heritage are not clearly standardised in Estonia, where most historic manor houses are managed by private owners who have no precise guidelines to follow during the restoration of such complex structures. To amend this issue, the Estonian Academy of Arts (EKA) organised an international workshop on “Colour Measurement and Documentation in Architectural Paint Research” with the aim to bring together several experts, techniques and tools from different countries in order to define, optimise and modernise the methodologies employed for the identification, documentation and preservation of historical painted interiors and colours. In addition to a theoretical session, the workshop held in October 2019 entailed practical work at the Kirna Manor House, analysing the entrance hall of the building. The paper presents the results of the research and the discussion between international experts

Modulation of tryptophan/serotonin pathway by probiotic supplementation in human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients: preliminary results of a new study approach

Background: To date, no data are available regarding the effects of probiotics on the pathway of tryptophan/serotonin metabolism among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) 1–infected individuals. Because a condition of dysbiosis might be responsible for the altered use of tryptophan described in this population, the aim of this study was to investigate the link between probiotic supplementation and serotonin levels in combined antiretroviral therapy–treated patients and the subsistence of an interplay with inflammation. Methods: We conducted a pilot study that included 8 HIV-positive subjects. We collected blood and fecal samples before and after 6 months of probiotic supplementation, to measure the level of serotonin in serum and tryptophan in stool, the expression of CD38 and HLADR on peripheral CD4+ T lymphocytes (as immune activation markers), the expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 messenger RNA (mRNA) and IFN-γ mRNA (as markers of tryptophan metabolism and systemic inflammation). Results: After probiotic supplementation, we observed a significant increase in concentration of serum serotonin (P=.008) and a decreased level of tryptophan in plasma. Moreover, a significant reduction in CD38 and HLA-DR expression on the surface of peripheral CD4+ T cells (P=.008) and a reduced expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 mRNA on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (P=.04) were observed. Conclusions: Considering that this probiotic (Vivomixx® in EU; Visbiome® in USA) has an influence on tryptophan metabolism, larger studies on this topic are needed

Human Microglia Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Different Microglia Cell Lines: Similarities and Differences

ABSTRACT: Microglial cells are a component of the innate immune system in the brain that support cell-to-cell communication via secreted molecules and extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs can be divided into two major populations: large (LEVs) and small (SEVs) EVs, carrying different mediators, such as proteins, lipids, and miRNAs. The microglia EVs cargo crucially reflects the status of parental cells and can lead to both beneficial and detrimental effects in many physiopathological states. Herein, a workflow for the extraction and characterization of SEVs and LEVs from human C20 and HMC3 microglia cell lines derived, respectively, from adult and embryonic microglia is reported. EVs were gathered from the culture media of the two cell lines by sequential ultracentrifugation steps and their biochemical and biophysical properties were analyzed by Western blot, transmission electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering. Although the C20and HMC3-derived EVs shared several common features, C20-derived EVs were slightly lower in number and more polydispersed. Interestingly, C20- but not HMC3-SEVs were able to interfere with the proliferation of U87 glioblastoma cells. This correlated with the different relative levels of eight miRNAs involved in neuroinflammation and tumor progression in the C20- and HMC3-derived EVs, which in turn reflected a different basal activation state of the two cell types. Our data fill a gap in the community of microglia EVs, in which the preparations from human cells have been poorly characterized so far. Furthermore, these results shed light on both the differences and similarities of EVs extracted from different human microglia cell models, underlining the need to better characterize the features and biological effects of EVs for therein useful and correct application

Identification and Functional Studies of Two New Dual-Oxidase 2 (DUOX2) Mutations in a Child with Congenital Hypothyroidism and a Eutopic Normal-Size Thyroid Gland

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Treatment and follow-up of genital lichen sclerosus in male children: multidisciplinary management at a tertiary care center

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