Is a diluted seawater-based solution safe and effective on human nasal epithelium?

Purpose: Nasal irrigation is an effective method for alleviating several nasal symptoms and regular seawater-based nasal irrigation is useful for maintaining nasal hygiene which is essential for appropriate functioning of the nose and for preventing airborne particles including some pollutants, pathogens, and allergens from moving further in the respiratory system. However, safety studies on seawater-based nasal irrigation are scarce. In this study, the safety and efficacy of a diluted isotonic seawater solution (Stérimar Nasal Hygiene, SNH) in maintaining nasal homeostasis were evaluated in vitro.

In vitro Comparison of Safety and Efficacy of Diluted Isotonic Seawater and Electrodialyzed Seawater for Nasal Hygiene.

Background: Nasal irrigation is often used for managing sinonasal conditions and maintaining nasal hygiene, which is critical to overall nasal health and to provide protection against airborne contaminants and pathogens. However, studies comparing efficacies of different solutions are needed.

Purpose: This in vitro study evaluated the ionic balance of an isotonic diluted seawater solution (Stérimar Nasal Hygiene, SNH) and its safety and efficacy for regular nasal hygiene in comparison to electrodialyzed seawater (EDS).

In vitro safety and performance evaluation of a seawater solution enriched with copper, hyaluronic acid, and eucalyptus for nasal lavage.

Background: The common cold is a viral infectious disease with symptoms such as runny nose, sore throat, and mainly, nasal congestion. State-of-the-art therapeutic approaches focus on alleviating the symptoms of this disease by non-invasive and simple-to-use methods. Nasal irrigation is one of the most accepted approaches to ease nasal congestion which, if left untreated, has a negative impact on the quality of life of patients.

Rhinosectan spray (containing xyloglucan) on the ciliary function of the nasal respiratory epithelium; results of an in vitro study.

Background: To assess the effects of Rhinosectan spray, a medical device containing xyloglucan, on nasal ciliary function (in MucilAir™Nasal cells).

Methods: MucilAir™Nasal, a three-dimensional organotypic airway tissue model (with different cell types), was treated with Rhinosectan (30 µl) or with a control (saline solution). The effects of Rhinosectan were evaluated at 15 and 60 min post-exposure by: measurement of the cilia beating frequency (Hz), mucin detection (Enzyme-Linked Lectin Assay-ELLA), mucociliary clearance (µm/s) and phagocytosis assay (fluorescence).

Protective efficacy of antidiarrheal agents in a permeability model of Escherichia coli-infected CacoGoblet cells.

Aim: To compare the protective efficacy of gelatine tannate/probiotic with other antidiarrheal agents in Escherichia coli-inoculated CacoGoblet cells.

Methods: Four test compounds - gelatine tannate plus inactivated probiotic, diosmectite, probiotic mixture and Saccharomyces boulardii - were added to E. coli-infected CacoGoblet cells.

Protective barrier properties of Rhinosectan spray (containing xyloglucan) on an organotypic 3D airway tissue model (MucilAir): results of an in vitro study.

Background: To evaluate barrier protective properties of Rhinosectan spray, a medical device containing xyloglucan, on nasal epithelial cells (MucilAir).

Methods: MucilAir-Nasal, a three-dimensional organotypic (with different cell types) airway tissue model, was treated with the medical device Rhinosectan (30 µL) or with controls (Rhinocort-budesonide-or saline solution). The protective barrier effects of Rhinosectan were evaluated by: TEER (trans-epithelial electrical resistance) (preservation of tight junctions), Lucifer Yellow assay (preservation of paracellular flux) and confocal immunofluorescence microscopy (localization of tight junction proteins).

Efficacy of a New Ocular Surface Modulator in Restoring Epithelial Changes in an In Vitro Model of Dry Eye Syndrome.

Purpose: So far tear substitutes have demonstrated a limited role in restoring ocular surface damage in dry eye syndrome (DES). The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a new ocular surface modulator in an in vitro model of human corneal epithelium (HCE) damaged by severe osmotic stress mirroring the features of dry eye conditions.

Methods: A reconstructed HCE model challenged by the introduction of sorbitol in the culture medium for 16 h was used to induce an inflammatory pathway and to impair the tight junctions integrity determining a severe modification of the superficial layer ultrastructure.

Effect of Utipro(®) (containing gelatin-xyloglucan) against Escherichia coli invasion of intestinal epithelial cells: results of an in vitro study.

Aim: To evaluate whether Utipro(®), a natural product approved to prevent urinary tract infections, protects intestinal epithelial cells from Escherichia coli adherence/intracellular invasion in vitro.

Materials & Methods: Caco-2 and CacoGoblet(TM) cells were treated with Utipro (1.5 to 10 mg/ml) or untreated (controls).

Corneal epithelial toxicity of antiglaucoma formulations: in vitro study of repeated applications.

Background: By using a biologically relevant and sensitive three-dimensional model of human corneal epithelium and multiple endpoint analysis, assessment of the potential for eye irritation and long-term compatibility of four registered ophthalmological preparations, ie, Timolabak(®), Timoptol(®), Nyogel(®), and Timogel(®), was performed. This approach enables classification of the potential for irritation, discriminating between mildly irritant and non-irritant ocular substances.

Methods: The exposure protocol included two time periods, ie, 24 hours (acute application) and 72 hours (repeated applications twice daily).

Molecular mechanism of ocular surface damage: application to an in vitro dry eye model on human corneal epithelium.

Purpose: The present study was concerned with the development of a new experimental model of dry eye using human reconstructed in vitro corneal epithelium (HCE). The model is based on the use of adapted culture conditions that induce relevant modifications at the cellular and molecular level thus mimicking dry eye.

Methods: The HCE model was maintained in a controlled environmental setting (relative humidity <40% and 40 °C temperature) for 24 h and up to 72 h to induce dry eye.

Molecular modifications of dermal and epidermal biomarkers following UVA exposures on reconstructed full-thickness human skin.

Ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation adversely affects skin health and appearance via multiple molecular pathways. Biologically relevant UVA damage are classified as short-term effects (e.g.

Synthesis of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) by Lactobacillus plantarum DSM19463: functional grape must beverage and dermatological applications.

Agriculture surplus were used as substrates to synthesize gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) by Lactobacillus plantarum DSM19463 for the manufacture of a functional beverage or as a novel application for dermatological purposes. Dilution of the grape must to 1 or 4% (w/v) of total carbohydrates favored higher cell yield and synthesis of GABA with respect to whey milk. Optimal conditions for synthesizing GABA in grape must were: initial pH 6.

Occludin gene expression as an early in vitro sign for mild eye irritation assessment.

Purpose: To test a new multiple endpoint analysis (MEA) including occludin gene expression for screening the ocular irritation potential of tear substitutes on human corneal epithelium (HCE), an in vitro model proposed to limit the use of animal testing in pre-clinical studies.

Methods: Four chemically-preserved and two non chemically-preserved tear substitutes were tested after acute (24h, 24h+24h post incubation) and repeated applications (for 72h) and compared to the positive control, benzalkonium chloride (BAK) at 0.1% and 0.

Transient dimerization and interaction with ERGIC-53 occur in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 early secretory pathway.

The fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) secretory pathway includes N-linked glycosylation in the endoplasmic reticulum where a stringent quality control system ensures that only correctly folded receptor reaches the cell surface from where mature-functional FGFR3 signals upon ligand-mediated dimerization. We have previously shown that the increased kinase activity associated with FGFR3 bearing the thanatophoric dysplasia type II (TDII) mutation hampers its maturation, enabling the receptor to signal from the endoplasmic reticulum. Here we investigate if this biosynthetic disturbance could be explained by premature dimerization of the receptor.

S100A8 and S100A9 activate MAP kinase and NF-kappaB signaling pathways and trigger translocation of RAGE in human prostate cancer cells.

S100 proteins, a multigenic family of calcium-binding proteins, have been linked to human pathologies in recent years. Deregulated expression of S100 proteins, including S100A8 and S100A9, was reported in association with neoplastic disorders. In a previous study, we identified enhanced expression of S100A8 and S100A9 in human prostate cancer.

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 interacts with and phosphorylates estrogen receptor alpha and is involved in the regulation of receptor activity.

Like other steroid hormone receptors, estrogen receptor-alpha (ERalpha) is a substrate for protein kinases, and phosphorylation has profound effects on the function and activity of this receptor. A number of different kinases have been implicated in ERalpha regulation. In this report we show by mutational analysis and in vitro kinase assays that ERalpha is a substrate for glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) in vitro and is phosphorylated on two sites, the Ser-102, -104, and -106 motif and Ser-118, both located in the N-terminal transcription activation function (AF-1) domain.

Calcium-binding proteins S100A8 and S100A9 as novel diagnostic markers in human prostate cancer.

Purpose: S100 proteins comprise a family of calcium-modulated proteins that have recently been associated with epithelial tumors. We examined the expression of two members of this family, S100A8 and S100A9, together with the S100 receptor RAGE (receptor for advanced glycation end products) in human prostate adenocarcinomas and in prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia.

Experimental Design: Tissue specimens of 75 patients with organ-confined prostate cancer of different grades were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for expression of S100A8, S100A9, and RAGE.

Impact of PKCdelta on estrogen receptor localization and activity in breast cancer cells.

Regulation of estrogen receptor (ER) function in breast cancer cells is a complex process involving different signalling mechanisms. One signal transduction component that appears to influence ER signalling is protein kinase C (PKC). PKCdelta is a particular isoenzyme of the novel PKC subfamily that plays a role in growth control, differentiation and apoptosis.