Trichinella spiralis extracellular vesicles induce anti-inflammatory and regulatory immune responses in vitro.

The helminth Trichinella spiralis, through its excretory-secretory (ES L1) products, induces immune regulatory mechanisms that modulate the host's immune response not only to itself, but also to bystander antigens, foreign or self in origin, which can result in the alleviation of inflammatory diseases. Under the influence of ES L1, dendritic cells (DCs) acquire a tolerogenic phenotype and the capacity to induce Th2 and regulatory responses. Since ES L1 products represent a complex mixture of proteins and extracellular vesicles (TsEVs) the aim of this study was to investigate the impact of TsEVs, isolated from ES L1 products, on phenotypic and functional characteristics of DCs and to elucidate whether TsEVs could reproduce the immunomodulatory effects of the complete ES L1 product.

Cutting-Edge iPSC-Based Approaches in Studying Host-Microbe Interactions in Neuropsychiatric Disorders.

Gut microbiota (GM), together with its metabolites (such as SCFA, tryptophan, dopamine, GABA, etc.), plays an important role in the functioning of the central nervous system. Various neurological and psychiatric disorders are associated with changes in the composition of GM and their metabolites, which puts them in the foreground as a potential adjuvant therapy.

Self-reference and emotional reaction drive aesthetic judgment.

Traditional philosophical inquiry, and more recently neuroscientific studies, have investigated the sources of artworks' aesthetic appeal. A substantial effort has been made to isolate the objective features contributing to aesthetic appreciation. While variables such as contrast or symmetry have been shown to robustly impact aesthetic judgment, they only account for a small portion of the intersubjective variability in aesthetic ratings.

Exogenous α-ketoglutarate Modulates Redox Metabolism and Functions of Human Dendritic Cells, Altering Their Capacity to Polarise T Cell Response.

Alpha-ketoglutarate (αKG) emerged as a key regulator of energetic and redox metabolism in cells, affecting the immune response in various conditions. However, it remained unclear how the exogenous αKG modulates the functions of dendritic cells (DCs), key cells regulating T-cell response. Here we found that non-toxic doses of αKG display anti-inflammatory properties in human APC-T cell interaction models.

Insight into the Postbiotic Potential of the Autochthonous Bacteriocin-Producing BGZLM1-5 in the Reduction in the Abundance of ATCC19111 in a Milk Model.

This study aimed to explore the probiogenomic characteristics of artisanal bacteriocin-producing BGZLM1-5 and its potential application in reducing in a milk model. The BGZLM1-5 strain was isolated from raw cow's milk from households in the Zlatar Mountain region. The whole genome sequencing approach and bioinformatics analyses reveal that the strain BGZLM1-5 is non-pathogenic to humans.

Sitagliptin Induces Tolerogenic Human Dendritic Cells.

Sitagliptin, an anti-diabetic drug, is a dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-4/CD26 inhibitor with additional anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. In this study, we investigated for the first time the effect of sitagliptin on the differentiation and functions of human dendritic cells generated from monocytes (MoDCs) for 4 days using the standard GM-CSF/IL-4 procedure. LPS/IFN-γ treatment for an additional 24 h was used for maturation induction of MoDCs.

Pomegranate Peel Extract Differently Modulates Gene Expression in Gingiva-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells under Physiological and Inflammatory Conditions.

Pomegranate has shown a favorable effect on gingivitis/periodontitis, but the mechanisms involved are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to test the effect of pomegranate peel extract (PoPEx) on gingiva-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (GMSCs) under physiological and inflammatory conditions. GMSC lines from healthy (H) and periodontitis (P) gingiva ( = 3 of each) were established.

Case report: Thyroid sarcoidosis as a rare localization of the disease: Report of two cases and review of the literature.

Sarcoidosis is a multi-systemic disease of unknown etiology that is characterized by the formation of non-necrotizing and non-caseating granulomas in affected organs. Sarcoidosis granulomas can form in any organ, but the lungs and intrathoracic lymph nodes are the most commonly affected. Thyroid involvement in sarcoidosis is very rare, with prevalence estimates of 1-4.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells prevent disruption of the gut barrier, preserve microbiota composition, and potentiate immunoregulatory pathways in a rat model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Over-activated myeloid cells and disturbance in gut microbiota composition are critical factors contributing to the pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) emerged as promising regulators of chronic inflammatory diseases, including autoimmune diseases. However, it remained unclear whether MDSCs display any therapeutic potential in MS, and how this therapy modulates gut microbiota composition.

Serum-derived extracellular vesicles: Novel biomarkers reflecting the disease severity of COVID-19 patients.

COVID-19 is characterized by a wide spectrum of disease severity, whose indicators and underlying mechanisms need to be identified. The role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in COVID-19 and their biomarker potential, however, remains largely unknown. Aiming to identify specific EV signatures of patients with mild compared to severe COVID-19, we characterized the EV composition of 20 mild and 26 severe COVID-19 patients along with 16 sex and age-matched healthy donors with a panel of eight different antibodies by imaging flow cytometry (IFCM).

Does miliary sarcoidosis really exist? A case report and review of the literature.

Background: Miliary sarcoidosis is a rare form of sarcoidosis characterized by numerous miliary-like micronodules dispersed throughout the lungs. It has been documented in less than 1% of all sarcoidosis cases. We first described a rare case of miliary sarcoidosis and then conducted a literature review on the subject.

Mesenchymal Stromal Cells from Healthy and Inflamed Human Gingiva Respond Differently to .

Gingiva-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (GMSCs) have been shown to play an important role in periodontitis. However, how , one of the key etiological agents of the disease, affects healthy (H)- and periodontitis (P)-GMSCs is unknown. To address this problem, we established 10 H-GMSC and 12 P-GMSC lines.

Protective Effect of an Exopolysaccharide Produced by BGAN8 Against Cadmium-Induced Toxicity in Caco-2 Cells.

Cadmium (Cd) ranks seventh on the list of most significant potential threats to human health based on its suspected toxicity and the possibility of exposure to it. It has been reported that some bacterial exopolysaccharides (EPSs) have the ability to bind heavy metal ions. We therefore investigated the capacity of eight EPS-producing lactobacilli to adsorb Cd in the present study, and BGAN8 was chosen as the best candidate.

Fecal microbiota composition associates with the capacity of human peripheral blood monocytes to differentiate into immunogenic dendritic cells .

Although promising for active immunization in cancer patients, dendritic cells (DCs) vaccines generated display high inter-individual variability in their immunogenicity, which mostly limits their therapeutic efficacy. Gut microbiota composition is a key emerging factor affecting individuals' immune responses, but it is unknown how it affects the variability of donors' precursor cells to differentiate into immunogenic DCs . By analyzing gut microbiota composition in 14 healthy donors, along with the phenotype and cytokines production by monocyte-derived DCs, we found significant correlations between immunogenic properties of DC and microbiota composition.

Host-commensal interaction promotes health and lifespan in through the activation of HLH-30/TFEB-mediated autophagy.

Gut homeostasis is maintained by the close interaction between commensal intestinal microbiota and the host, affecting the most complex physiological processes, such as aging. Some commensal bacteria with the potential to promote healthy aging arise as attractive candidates for the development of pro-longevity probiotics. Here, we showed that heat-inactivated human commensal BGHV110 (BGHV110) extends the lifespan of and improves age-related physiological features, including locomotor function and lipid metabolism.

Reduced Expression of Autophagy Markers and Expansion of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells Correlate With Poor T Cell Response in Severe COVID-19 Patients.

Widespread coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 is causing pneumonia, respiratory and multiorgan failure in susceptible individuals. Dysregulated immune response marks severe COVID-19, but the immunological mechanisms driving COVID-19 pathogenesis are still largely unknown, which is hampering the development of efficient treatments. Here we analyzed ~140 parameters of cellular and humoral immune response in peripheral blood of 41 COVID-19 patients and 16 age/gender-matched healthy donors by flow-cytometry, quantitative PCR, western blot and ELISA, followed by integrated correlation analyses with ~30 common clinical and laboratory parameters.

Yogurt Produced by Novel Natural Starter Cultures Improves Gut Epithelial Barrier In Vitro.

Yogurt is a traditional fermented dairy product, prepared with starter cultures containing and that has gained widespread consumer acceptance as a healthy food. It is widely accepted that yogurt cultures have been recognized as probiotics, due to their beneficial effects on human health. In this study, we have characterized technological and health-promoting properties of autochthonous strains BGKMJ1-36 and BGVLJ1-21 isolated from artisanal sour milk and yogurt, respectively, in order to be used as functional yogurt starter cultures.

Awe and the Experience of the Sublime: A Complex Relationship.

Awe seems to be a complex emotion or emotional construct characterized by a mix of positive (contentment, happiness), and negative affective components (fear and a sense of being smaller, humbler or insignificant). It is striking that the elicitors of awe correspond closely to what philosophical aesthetics, and especially Burke and Kant, have called "the sublime." As a matter of fact, awe is almost absent from the philosophical agenda, while there are very few studies on the experience of the sublime as such in the psychological literature.

GABA potentiate the immunoregulatory effects of Lactobacillus brevis BGZLS10-17 via ATG5-dependent autophagy in vitro.

The characterization of mechanisms involved in the positive effects of probiotic bacteria in various pathophysiological conditions is a prerogative for their safe and efficient application in biomedicine. We have investigated the immunological effects of live bacteria-free supernatant collected from GABA-producing Lactobacillus brevis BGZLS10-17 on Concanavalin A-stimulated mesenteric lymph node cells (MLNC), an in vitro model of activated immune cells. We have shown that GABA containing and GABA-free supernatant of Lactobacillus brevis BGZLS10-17 have strong immunoregulatory effects on MLNC.

Phenomenal, bodily and brain correlates of fictional reappraisal as an implicit emotion regulation strategy.

The ability to modulate our emotional experience, depending on our current goal and context, is of critical importance for adaptive behavior. This ability encompasses various emotion regulation strategies, such as fictional reappraisal, at stake whenever one engages in fictional works (e.g.

Gut Microbiota Confers Resistance of Albino Oxford Rats to the Induction of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis.

Albino Oxford (AO) rats are extremely resistant to induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). EAE is an animal model of multiple sclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS), with established autoimmune pathogenesis. The autoimmune response against the antigens of the CNS is initiated in the peripheral lymphoid tissues after immunization of AO rats with CNS antigens.