subsp. HN019 live probiotics and postbiotics: production strategies and bioactivity evaluation for potential therapeutic properties.

subsp. HN019 is a commercially available well-characterized probiotic with documented effects on human health, such as the ability to enhance the immune function and to balance the intestinal microbiome. Therefore, optimizing the manufacturing process to improve sustainability, increasing biomass yields and viability, and avoiding animal -derived nutrients in the medium to meet vegan consumer's needs, is currently of interest.

Broad-spectrum coronavirus 3C-like protease peptidomimetic inhibitors effectively block SARS-CoV-2 replication in cells: Design, synthesis, biological evaluation, and X-ray structure determination.

Despite the approval of vaccines, monoclonal antibodies and restrictions during the pandemic, the demand for new efficacious and safe antivirals is compelling to boost the therapeutic arsenal against the COVID-19. The viral 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CL) is an essential enzyme for replication with high homology in the active site across CoVs and variants showing an almost unique specificity for Leu-Gln as P2-P1 residues, allowing the development of broad-spectrum inhibitors. The design, synthesis, biological activity, and cocrystal structural information of newly conceived peptidomimetic covalent reversible inhibitors are herein described.

Self-esterified hyaluronan hydrogels: Advancements in the production with positive implications in tissue healing.

Hyaluronan-(HA) short half-life in vivo limits its benefits in tissue repair. Self-esterified-HA is of great interest because it progressively releases HA, promoting tissue-regeneration longer than the unmodified-polymer. Here, the 1-ethyl-3-(3-diethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide(EDC)-hydroxybenzotriazole(HOBt) carboxyl-activating-system was evaluated for self-esterifying HA in the solid state.

Efficacy of selective histone deacetylase 6 inhibition in mouse models of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection: A new glimpse for reducing inflammation and infection in cystic fibrosis.

The latest studies identified the histone deacetylase (HDAC) class of enzymes as strategic components of the complex molecular machinery underlying inflammation in cystic fibrosis (CF). Compelling new support has been provided for HDAC6 isoform as a key player in the generation of the dysregulated proinflammatory phenotype in CF, as well as in the immune response to the persistent bacterial infection accompanying CF patients. We herein provide in vivo proof-of-concept (PoC) of the efficacy of selective HDAC6 inhibition in contrasting the pro-inflammatory phenotype in a mouse model of chronic P.

Exploiting Potential Biotechnological Applications of Poly-γ-glutamic Acid Low Molecular Weight Fractions Obtained by Membrane-Based Ultra-Filtration.

Since the potentialities of applications of low molecular weight poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) chains have been so far only partially explored, the separation of diverse molecular families of them, as well as their characterization for potential bioactivity and ability to form films, were investigated. Two different approaches based on organic solvent precipitation or on ultra- and nano-filtration membrane-based purification of inexpensive commercial material were employed to obtain size-specific γ-PGA fractions, further characterized by size exclusion chromatography equipped with a triple detector array and by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography to assess their average molecular weight and their concentration. The γ-PGA low molecular weight fractions, purified by ultra-filtration, have been shown both to counteract the desiccation and the oxidative stress of keratinocyte monolayers.

Label-Free Quantitative Proteomics to Explore the Action Mechanism of the Pharmaceutical-Grade Extract in Speeding Up Keratinocyte Healing.

Plant extracts have shown beneficial properties in terms of skin repair, promoting wound healing through a plethora of mechanisms. In particular, the poly-/oligosaccharidic aqueous extract of (TVE), as well as TVE-based products, shows interesting biological assets, hastening wound repair. Indeed, TVE acts in the treatment of tissue regeneration mainly on decubitus and venous leg ulcers.

Chasing a Breath of Fresh Air in Cystic Fibrosis (CF): Therapeutic Potential of Selective HDAC6 Inhibitors to Tackle Multiple Pathways in CF Pathophysiology.

Compelling new support has been provided for histone deacetylase isoform 6 (HDAC6) as a common thread in the generation of the dysregulated proinflammatory and fibrotic phenotype in cystic fibrosis (CF). HDAC6 also plays a crucial role in bacterial clearance or killing as a direct consequence of its effects on CF immune responses. Inhibiting HDAC6 functions thus eventually represents an innovative and effective strategy to tackle multiple aspects of CF-associated lung disease.

Chondroitin Sulfate in USA Dietary Supplements in Comparison to Pharma Grade Products: Analytical Fingerprint and Potential Anti-Inflammatory Effect on Human Osteoartritic Chondrocytes and Synoviocytes.

The biological activity of chondroitin sulfate (CS) and glucosamine (GlcN) food supplements (FS), sold in USA against osteoarthritis, might depend on the effective CS and GlcN contents and on the CS structural characteristics. In this paper three USA FS were compared to two pharmaceutical products (Ph). Analyses performed by HPAE-PAD, by HPCE and by SEC-TDA revealed that the CS and GlcN titers were up to -68.

Production and purification of higher molecular weight chondroitin by metabolically engineered Escherichia coli K4 strains.

The capsular polysaccharide obtained from Escherichia coli K4 is a glycosaminoglycan-like molecule, similar to chondroitin sulphate, that has established applications in the biomedical field. Recent efforts focused on the development of strategies to increase K4 polysaccharide fermentation titers up to technologically attractive levels, but an aspect that has not been investigated so far, is how changes in the molecular machinery that produces this biopolymer affect its molecular weight. In this work, we took advantage of recombinant E.

Comparative Analyses of Pharmaceuticals or Food Supplements Containing Chondroitin Sulfate: Are Their Bioactivities Equivalent?

Introduction: Oral supplementation of chondroitin sulfate (CS) and glucosamine (GlcN), symptomatic slow-acting molecules, is recommended by European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (ESCEO) and other European Union (EU) guidelines for the restoration of the articular cartilage surface in patients affected by osteoarthritis (OA). They are commercialized as pharmaceutical grade products and as food supplements in combination with plant extracts hyaluronic acid, methylsulfonylmethane, and other components. Food supplements do not need to undergo the strict regulatory controls of pharmaceutical grade products; thus, composition and contaminants that could be present may not be evidenced before commercialization and these uncertainties may give rise to concerns about the bioactivity of these formulations.

Molecular weight determination of heparosan- and chondroitin-like capsular polysaccharides: figuring out differences between wild -type and engineered Escherichia coli strains.

Heparin and chondroitin sulfate are used as anti-thrombic and anti-osteoarthritis drugs, respectively, but their pharmacological actions depend on their structural characteristics such as their sulfation grade and their molecular weight. In the last years, new fermentation-based biotechnological approaches have tried to obtain heparin and chondroitin sulfate starting from the heparosan and chondroitin-like capsular polysaccharides produced by Escherichia coli K5 and K4. The study of the microbial capsular polysaccharide molecular weight is critical to obtain nature-like or structural tailor cut glycosaminoglycan homologues.

Religious freedom restoration acts and sexual minority population health in the United States.

Religious freedom restoration acts (RFRAs) in the United States potentially facilitate discrimination against lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals (i.e., sexual minorities).

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF): can we use it as prognostic factor in endometrial cancer?

Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate if VEGF levels reflect the severity of endometrial cancer and the clinic relationship between microvasal density (MVD) and concentration of VEGF in tumor.

Methods: The study was conducted on 22 patients affected by endometrial cancer who were submitted to total abdominal radical hysterectomy plus bilateral salpingo-ophorectomy. VEGF (pg/mL) and MVD values were measured on histologic specimens of endometrial cancer obtained during the surgical treatment.

Double laparotomy wound recurrence of endometrial carcinoma.

Introduction: Abdominal scar recurrence of endometrial carcinoma after abdominal total hysterectomy is very rare. We report a case of a 65-year-old woman who had two recurrences in the abdominal incisional scar after total hysterectomy.

Case Report: A 65-year-old woman underwent total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy because of well-differentiated endometrial adenocarcinoma (Stage IIB).

Second-line with paclitaxel and carboplatin for recurrent disease following first paclitaxel and platinum compounds in ovarian carcinoma.

Objective: The combination of paclitaxel and platinum compounds is considered the best first-line regimen for advanced ovarian carcinoma. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a paclitaxel and carboplatin combination in pretreated patients who recurred within 24 months after a complete clinical response with the same regimen used as first-line chemotherapy.

Methods: 18 patients were included in this study.

Paclitaxel and carboplatin as outpatient therapy for stage III and IV epithelial ovarian cancer.

Background: To determine the toxicity and the response rate of a three-hour paclitaxel infusion and carboplatin administered as outpatient treatment for stage III and IV epithelial ovarian cancer.

Methods: Forty-three patients with stage III/IV epithelial ovarian cancer underwent cytoreductive surgery and then received paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 over 3-hr infusion and carboplatin AUC5 every 21 days for six cycles. Elegible patients had adequate bone marrow, renal and hepatic function; G-CSF was recommended if white cell count fell under 3,000/mm3.

[Second-look in ovarian cancer: laparoscopy or laparotomy?].

Background: The aim of the present study was to compare the laparoscopic second-look with laparotomic second-look as regards the consistency of diagnosis of residual tumoral disease after first step treatment in patients affected by ovarian cancer, and to evaluate the feasibility of the laparoscopic second-look.

Methods: Twenty-one patients affected by ovarian cancer underwent laparoscopic second-look followed by laparotomic second-look. Six months after the first surgical intervention all the patients showed no contraindications to laparoscopic second-look.

[HPV infection. Clinical features and treatment].

The aspecific and exiguous symptoms and the lacking information are among the reasons of the diffusion of the vulvo-vaginal papillomatosis. We carried out the present study between 1995 and 1999 in the outpatient clinic of cervico-vaginal pathology of the Second University of Naples. 680 patients (aged between 18 and 56 years) underwent vulvoscopic and colposcopic examination.

[Meigs' syndrome and "Meigs' pseudo-syndrome." Report of 2 cases].

Background: The aim of this study is to investigate similitudis and differences between the Meigs' syndrome and Meigs' pseudosyndrom. The Meigs' syndrome is an uncommon disease that is characterized by benign ovarian tumor, ascites and pleural effusion. The Meigs' pseudosyndrom is a serious disease that is characterized by malignant ovarian tumor, ascites, pleural effusion.

[Cytoreductive surgery in patients with stage IV ovarian carcinoma].

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of cytoriductive surgical in females with ovarian carcinoma in advanced stadium, and to define the role of this surgical for the survival of females with hepatic metastases.

Methods: This is a retrospective study. 164 females with ovarian cancer in IV stadium was examined.

[Role of intestinal resection in primary cytoreduction of ovarian cancer].

Background: The aim of this study is to define the role of the intestinal removal for the therapy of ovarian cancer in advanced stadium.

Methods: We have examined 247 females with epithelial ovarian cancer in advanced stadium, that had intestinal removal.

Results: The survival in the females that had a very good intestinal removal is greatest than in the females that hadn't a very good intestinal removal.

Fetuses with cystic hygroma. A retrospective study.

Background: The aim of this study is to analyse several theories of pathogenesis of cystic hygroma, its correlation with chromosomal abnormalities and the indicators of poor or good prognosis.

Experimental Design: This is a retrospective study that evaluates all cases of cystic hygroma seen during the four-year period from January 1994 to December 1997.

Setting: This study was performed in the center of prenatal diagnosis of institutional hospital in Caserta.

Influence of menstrual factors and dietary habits on menstrual pain in adolescence age.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of the primary dysmenorrhea in adolescence age and investigate correlation between menstrual factors, dietary habits and this pathology.

Study Design: The sample was constituted from 356 students that were subjected to questionnaire, abdominal ultrasound, and in some cases, hormonal dosing.

Results: The frequency of the primary dysmenorrhea was 85%.