Novel Bacteroides Vulgatus strain protects against gluten-induced break of human celiac gut epithelial homeostasis: a pre-clinical proof-of-concept study.

Background And Aims: We have identified a decreased abundance of microbial species known to have a potential anti-inflammatory, protective effect in subjects that developed Celiac Disease (CeD) compared to those who did not. We aim to confirm the potential protective role of one of these species, namely Bacteroides vulgatus, and to mechanistically establish the effect of bacterial bioproducts on gluten-dependent changes on human gut epithelial functions.

Methods: We identified, isolated, cultivated, and sequenced a unique novel strain (20220303-A2) of B.

Efficient SARS-CoV-2 infection antagonization by rhACE2 ectodomain multimerized onto the Avidin-Nucleic-Acid-NanoASsembly.

Nanodecoy systems based on analogues of viral cellular receptors assembled onto fluid lipid-based membranes of nano/extravescicles are potential new tools to complement classic therapeutic or preventive antiviral approaches. The need for lipid-based membranes for transmembrane receptor anchorage may pose technical challenges along industrial translation, calling for alternative geometries for receptor multimerization. Here we developed a semisynthetic self-assembling SARS-CoV-2 nanodecoy by multimerizing the biotin labelled virus cell receptor -ACE2- ectodomain onto a poly-avidin nanoparticle (NP) based on the Avidin-Nucleic-Acid-NanoASsembly-ANANAS.

Vitamin D Levels in the Pre- and Post-COVID-19 Pandemic Periods and Related Confinement at Pediatric Age.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) restrictions have been correlated with vitamin D deficiency in children, but some uncertainties remain. We retrospectively studied vitamin 25-(OH) D blood levels in 2182 Italian children/adolescents hospitalized for various chronic diseases in the year before (n = 1052) and after (n = 1130) the nationwide lockdown. The type of underlying disease, gender, and mean age (91 ± 55 and 91 ± 61 months, respectively) of patients included in the two periods were comparable.

Variations in Biodistribution and Acute Response of Differently Shaped Titania Nanoparticles in Healthy Rodents.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO NPs) are one of the main sources of the nanoparticulate matter exposure to humans. Although several studies have demonstrated their potential toxic effects, the real nature of the correlation between NP properties and their interaction with biological targets is still far from being fully elucidated. Here, engineered TiO NPs with various geometries (bipyramids, plates, and rods) have been prepared, characterized and intravenously administered in healthy mice.

Early Antibody Dynamics in a Prospective Cohort of Children At Risk of Celiac Disease.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to identify possible serum biomarkers predicting celiac disease (CD) onset in children at risk.

Methods: A subgroup from an ongoing, international prospective study of children at risk of CD was classified according to an early trajectory of deamidated gliadin peptides (DGPs) immunoglobulin (Ig) G and clinical outcomes (CD, potential CD, and CD autoimmunity).

Results: Thirty-eight of 325 children developed anti-tissue transglutaminase IgA antibody (anti-tTG IgA) seroconversion.

Development of a Nanoparticle-Based Approach for the Blood-Brain Barrier Passage in a Murine Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

The development of nanoparticles (NPs) to enable the passage of drugs across blood-brain barrier (BBB) represents one of the main challenges in neuropharmacology. In recent years, NPs that are able to transport drugs and interact with brain endothelial cells have been tested. Here, we investigated whether the functionalization of avidin-nucleic-acid-nanoassembly (ANANAS) with apolipoprotein E (ApoE) would allow BBB passage in the SOD1 mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Diagnostic Value of Persistently Low Positive TGA-IgA Titers in Symptomatic Children With Suspected Celiac Disease.

Objectives: While the algorithm to diagnose celiac disease (CD) in children with elevated anti-transglutaminase IgA (TGA-IgA) titers (>10 times upper limit of normal, ULN) is well defined, the management of children with low TGA-IgA values represents a clinical challenge. We aimed to identify the diagnostic value of persistently low positive TGA-IgA titers in predicting CD in children.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed children with symptoms or signs of CD, not eligible for a no-biopsy approach.

Association between Elevated TGA-IgA Titers and Older Age at Diagnosis with Absence of HBV Seroconversion in Celiac Children.

Patients with celiac disease can have a low rate of protective hepatitis B (HBV) antibody titers after vaccination. We aimed to evaluate the HBV seroconversion in celiac disease (CD) children at the time of diagnosis as well as to identify the presence of possible predictive factors. Celiac disease children were prospectively enrolled and tested for antibodies against the S protein of HBV (HBsAg) at time of diagnosis between January 2009 and February 2020.

Cellulose nanocrystals: a multimodal tool to enhance the targeted drug delivery against bone disorders.

We investigated the use of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) as drug nanocarriers combining an anti-osteoporotic agent, alendronate (ALN), and an anti-cancer drug, doxorubicin (DOX). CNC physicochemical characterization, imaging coupled with histology and  uptake and toxicity assays were carried out. CNC-ALN did not modify bone tropism and lung penetration, whereas its liver and kidney accumulation was slightly higher compared with CNCs alone.

A landfarming application technique used as environmental remediation for coal oil pollution.

Since the massive exploitation of the Val d'Agri (Basilicata-Italy) oilfield has started, a lot of environmental pollution accidents have occurred in the same region. This research takes as starting point the heavy accident occurred in the year 2000, when 15,150 kg of coal oil were spilt all over the Agri river bed and the surrounding fields. In that particular case, the environmental reclamation was achieved by the removal of the polluted soil and its dump-storage.