Mammary Microvessels are Sensitive to Menstrual Cycle Sex Hormones.

The mammary gland is a highly vascularized organ influenced by sex hormones including estrogen (E2) and progesterone (P4). Beyond whole-organism studies in rodents or cell monocultures, hormonal effects on the breast microvasculature remain largely understudied. Recent methods to generate 3D microvessels on-chip have enabled direct observation of complex vascular processes; however, these models often use non-tissue-specific cell types, such as human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and fibroblasts from various sources.

Mast cells link immune sensing to antigen-avoidance behaviour.

The physiological functions of mast cells remain largely an enigma. In the context of barrier damage, mast cells are integrated in type 2 immunity and, together with immunoglobulin E (IgE), promote allergic diseases. Allergic symptoms may, however, facilitate expulsion of allergens, toxins and parasites and trigger future antigen avoidance.

d-Serine agonism of GluN1-GluN3 NMDA receptors regulates the activity of enteric neurons and coordinates gut motility.

The enteric nervous system (ENS) is a complex network of diverse molecularly defined classes of neurons embedded in the gastrointestinal wall and responsible for controlling the major functions of the gut. As in the central nervous system, the vast array of ENS neurons is interconnected by chemical synapses. Despite several studies reporting the expression of ionotropic glutamate receptors in the ENS, their roles in the gut remain elusive.

Acute Stress Regulates Sex-Related Molecular Responses in the Human Jejunal Mucosa: Implications for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent gastrointestinal disorder linked to intestinal barrier dysfunction and life stress. We have previously reported that female sex per se determines an increased susceptibility to intestinal barrier dysfunction after cold pain stress (CPS). We aimed to identify sex-related molecular differences in response to CPS in healthy subjects to understand the origin of sex bias predominance in IBS.

Stress in Emergency Healthcare Professionals: The Stress Factors and Manifestations Scale.

Background: Healthcare workers are continuously exposed to a high level of stress, especially emergency department professionals. In the present research, we aimed to determine the internal consistency and validity of the Stress Factors and Manifestations Scale for in-hospital and out-of-hospital emergency workers. Methods: A quantitative, prospective, cross-sectional, and observational study including 269 emergency service professionals.

Present and Future Therapeutic Approaches to Barrier Dysfunction.

There is converging and increasing evidence, but also uncertainty, for the role of abnormal intestinal epithelial barrier function in the origin and development of a growing number of human gastrointestinal and extraintestinal inflammatory disorders, and their related complaints. Despite a vast literature addressing factors and mechanisms underlying changes in intestinal permeability in humans, and its connection to the appearance and severity of clinical symptoms, the ultimate link remains to be established in many cases. Accordingly, there are no directives or clinical guidelines related to the therapeutic management of intestinal permeability disorders that allow health professionals involved in the management of these patients to carry out a consensus treatment based on clinical evidence.

Live Imaging of Primary Neurons in Long-Term Cryopreserved Human Nerve Tissue.

Tissue cryopreservation provides a convenient solution for tackling one of the major problems in neuroscience research, namely, the scarce availability of human nerve tissues, especially if needed alive. While brain tissue can be used only postmortem, live nerve tissue can reasonably well be harvested from the periphery. A valuable source of primary neurons is the intestine, which compared with brain has the advantage to be safely accessible via endoscopy.

Cyclodextrin polymers and salts: An Eco-Friendly combination to modulate the removal of sulfamethoxazole from water and its release.

This study is aimed to validate water-insoluble cyclodextrin-epichlorohydrin polymer (β-EPI) use to remove, by adsorption, sulfamethoxazole (SMX) from water and then release it via an environmentally friendly treatment so that the adsorbent can be recycled according to one of the objectives of the European Project Life "Clean up" (LIFE 16 ENV/ES/000169). SMX adsorption experiments on β-EPI polymer in-batch were performed, varying different experimental parameters of the process, such as contact time, pH values, and so on. The adsorption process, exothermic and driven by enthalpy, occurs both through the formation of inclusion and association complexes, involves mainly hydrophobic and hydrogen bonds, has a rate-controlling step depending on both pollutant concentration and adsorbent dose and can be described by the Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich models which confirm the polymer surface heterogeneity and the physical nature of the adsorption.

Overexpression of corticotropin-releasing factor in intestinal mucosal eosinophils is associated with clinical severity in Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) has been identified in intestinal mucosal eosinophils and associated with psychological stress and gut dysfunction. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is commonly characterized by altered intestinal motility, immune activation, and increased gut barrier permeability along with heightened susceptibility to psychosocial stress. Despite intensive research, the role of mucosal eosinophils in stress-associated gut dysfunction remains uncertain.

Synthesis of New Cyclodextrin-Based Adsorbents to Remove Direct Red 83:1.

Two cyclodextrins (CDs), γ- and hydroxypropyl (HP)-γ-CDs were used to synthesize new adsorbents by using epichlorohydrin (EPI) as cross-linking agent in order to remove Direct Red 83:1 (DR) from water. Both polymers were characterized in terms of Fourier spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, particle size distribution and thermogravimetric analysis. Experimental data for both polymers were well fitted to the pseudo-second order and intraparticle diffusion model, indicating that in the adsorption both chemical and physical interactions are essential in the removal of DR.

Peripheral Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Triggers Jejunal Mast Cell Activation and Abdominal Pain in Patients With Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Introduction: To determine the effect of peripheral CRF on intestinal barrier function in diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D). Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) pathophysiology has been linked to life stress, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and mast cell activation. Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is a major mediator of stress responses in the gastrointestinal tract, yet its role on IBS mucosal function remains largely unknown.

Removal and toxicity evaluation of a diverse group of drugs from water by a cyclodextrin polymer/pulsed light system.

The presence of pharmaceutical compounds (PhCs) in the effluents of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is an ecological concern. The issue could be alleviated by trapping those substances by cyclodextrin (CD) polymers or photolyzing them by pulsed light (PL). Consequently, a sequential CD polymer/PL system was tested for the removal of PhCs.

Adsorption of Direct Blue 78 Using Chitosan and Cyclodextrins as Adsorbents.

The dyeing industry is one of the most polluting in the world. The adsorption of dyes by polymeric matrixes can be used to minimize the discharge of dyes into the environment. In the present study, chitosan-NaOH and β-cyclodextrin-epichlorohydrin polymers were used to remove the dye Direct Blue 78 from a wastewater model.

Adsorption Properties of β- and Hydroxypropyl-β-Cyclodextrins Cross-Linked with Epichlorohydrin in Aqueous Solution. A Sustainable Recycling Strategy in Textile Dyeing Process.

β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) were used to prepare insoluble polymers using epichlorohydrin as a cross-linking agent and the azo dye Direct Red 83:1 was used as target adsorbate. The preliminary study related to adsorbent dosage, pH, agitation or dye concentration allowed us to select the best conditions to carry out the rest of experiments. The kinetics was evaluated by Elovich, pseudo first order, pseudo second order, and intra-particle diffusion models.

Toll-like receptors-mediated pathways activate inflammatory responses in the esophageal mucosa of adult eosinophilic esophagitis.

Objectives: Esophageal microbiota and regulation of adaptive immunity are increasingly being investigated in eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a central role in the initiation and maintenance of innate immune activity. Our objective was to characterize the esophageal and duodenal innate immune response in EoE and its modulation by dietary therapy.

miR-16 and miR-103 impact 5-HT receptor signalling and correlate with symptom profile in irritable bowel syndrome.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gut-brain disorder involving alterations in intestinal sensitivity and motility. Serotonin 5-HT receptors are promising candidates in IBS pathophysiology since they regulate gut motor function and stool consistency, and targeted 5-HTR selective drug intervention has been proven beneficial in subgroups of patients. We identified a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (rs201253747) c.

Downregulation of mucosal mast cell activation and immune response in diarrhoea-irritable bowel syndrome by oral disodium cromoglycate: A pilot study.

Background And Goal: Diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) exhibits intestinal innate immune and mucosal mast cell (MC) activation. MC stabilisers have been shown to improve IBS symptoms but the mechanism is unclear. Our primary aim was to investigate the effect of oral disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) on jejunal MC activation and specific innate immune signalling pathways in IBS-D, and secondarily, its potential clinical benefit.

Mucosal pathobiology and molecular signature of epithelial barrier dysfunction in the small intestine in irritable bowel syndrome.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most prevalent gastrointestinal disorders in developed countries. Its etiology remains unknown; however, a common finding, regardless of IBS subtype, is the presence of altered intestinal barrier. In fact, signaling and location of cell-to-cell adhesion proteins, in connection with increased immune activity, seem abnormal in the intestinal epithelium of IBS patients.

Protective effect of cyclodextrins on the quality parameters of roast preserved pepper.

Total phenolics (TP), vitamin C, antioxidant activity and colour of preserved peppers were evaluated at 4, 25 and 50 ℃ storage during 30-day intervals. Except for 4 ℃, TP decreased during storage at 25 ℃ and 50 ℃, being softer for fortified samples with β-CDs. The protective effect was evident, since 50 ℃ samples containing β-CDs exhibited lower TP loss (19%) than control samples (38%) for 5 months storage.

Dietary treatment modulates mast cell phenotype, density, and activity in adult eosinophilic oesophagitis.

Background: Mast cells (MCs) are abundant in the inflammatory infiltrate in eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE), but decrease with disease remission. However, their phenotype, role in the pathophysiology of the disease, and modulation after effective dietary therapy are still unclear.

Objective: To define the phenotype of oesophageal MCs, their modulation through dietary therapy, and their association with clinical manifestations of EoE.

Increased humoral immunity in the jejunum of diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome associated with clinical manifestations.

Background And Aims: Altered intestinal barrier is associated with immune activation and clinical symptoms in diarrhoea-predominant IBS (IBS-D). Increased mucosal antigen load may induce specific responses; however, local antibody production and its contribution to IBS aetiopathogenesis remain undefined. This study evaluated the role of humoral activity in IBS-D.

Red cabbage ( Brassica oleracea ) as a new source of high-thermostable peroxidase.

Soluble and membrane-bound peroxidases (PODs) were extracted from red cabbage using Triton X-114. Optimum activity was obtained at pH 4.0 for both enzymes, and both were inactivated by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS).

Dietary habits of patients with schizophrenia: a self-reported questionnaire survey.

The present study was carried out to determine the dietary habits of patients with schizophrenia and the influence of these habits on the degree of obesity. The study was developed in a sample of 159 patients, who were given a self-reported questionnaire, to ascertain the influence of socio-familiar aspects, pharmacological treatment, and dietary habits. Anthropometric measurements (body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC)) were also taken.