Face and body sponges: beauty aids or potential microbiological reservoir?

Small natural or synthetic sponges are commonly used in daily hygiene and in removing make-up. In our study we try to assess the role of sponges as reservoirs and vehicles in the transmission of potentially pathogenic bacterial species. We demonstrate that numerous Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial species are detectable in sponges after normal use by the healthy population.

Cell shape and plasma membrane alterations after static magnetic fields exposure.

The biological effects of static magnetic fields (MFs) with intensity of 6 mT were investigated in lymphocytes and U937 cells in the presence or absence of apoptosis-inducing drugs by transmission (TEM) and scanning (SEM) electron microscopy. Lectin cytochemistry of ConA-FITC conjugates was used to analyze plasma membrane structural modifications. Static MFs modified cell shape, plasma membrane and increased the level of intracellular [Ca++] which plays an antiapoptotic role in both cell types.

Kupffer cells promote lead nitrate-induced hepatocyte apoptosis via oxidative stress.

BACKGROUND: Apoptosis and its modulation are crucial factors for the maintenance of liver health, allowing hepatocytes to die without provoking a potential harmful inflammatory response through a tightly controlled and regulated process. Since Kupffer cells play a key role in the maintenance of liver function, the aim of this study was to verify whether Kupffer cells are involved in the induction of liver apoptosis after i.v.

Morphological and ultrastructural analysis of Turritopsis nutricula during life cycle reversal.

The hydrozoa life cycle is characterized, in normal conditions, by the alternation of a post-larval benthic polyp and an adult pelagic medusa; however, some species of Hydrozoa react to environmental stress by reverting their life cycle: i.e. an adult medusa goes back to the juvenile stage of polyp.

Lead nitrate and gadolinium chloride administration modify hepatocyte cell surfaces.

Modifications of hepatocyte cell surface were determined after single i.v. injection to rats of Pb(NO(3))(2) (known to induce liver hyperplasia followed by apoptosis) or GdCl(3) (known to induce proliferation of parenchymal cells and Kupffer cell depletion) or administration of GdCl(3) 24 h before Pb(NO(3))(2) injection (known to reduce hyperplasia and apoptosis induced in the parenchymal liver cells by the single Pb(NO(3))(2) injection).