Heart rate variability, daily cortisol indices and their association with psychometric characteristics and gut microbiota composition in an Italian community sample.

The microbiota-gut-brain axis is a complex communication system that plays a crucial role in influencing various aspects of our physical and mental health. The goal of this study was to determine the extent to which individual differences in resting measures of vagally-mediated heart rate variability (HRV) and cortisol levels were associated with psychometric and specific gut microbiota characteristics in seventy-five (38 females) healthy individuals. Participants were assessed for vagally-mediated HRV, daily salivary cortisol levels, psychometric characteristics, and gut microbiota composition.

Biological Effects of Micro-/Nano-Plastics in Macrophages.

The environmental impact of plastics is worsened by their inadequate end-of-life disposal, leading to the ubiquitous presence of micro- (MPs) and nanosized (NPs) plastic particles. MPs and NPs are thus widely present in water and air and inevitably enter the food chain, with inhalation and ingestion as the main exposure routes for humans. Many recent studies have demonstrated that MPs and NPs gain access to several body compartments, where they are taken up by cells, increase the production of reactive oxygen species, and lead to inflammatory changes.

Synthetic Osmolytes for Enhanced RNA Thermotolerance and Extended Plasmid Storage at Room Temperature.

Stable formulations for RNA and plasmid DNA are a matter of paramount significance in several fields, ranging from medicine to biotechnology. We have investigated the potential of 15 compounds derived from natural osmolytes to enhance the thermostability and protection of both RNA and plasmid DNA. Our findings demonstrated that several compounds exhibit remarkable effects, enhancing the long-term storage of plasmid DNA at room temperature and the resilience of RNA to high-temperature stress, surpassing the performance of commercial osmolytes.

Functional modulation of the human gut microbiome by bacteria vehicled by cheese.

Since cheese is one of the most commonly and globally consumed fermented foods, scientific investigations in recent decades have focused on determining the impact of this dairy product on human health and well-being. However, the modulatory effect exerted by the autochthonous cheese microbial community on the taxonomic composition and associated functional potential of the gut microbiota of human is still far from being fully dissected or understood. Here, through the use of an human gut-simulating cultivation model in combination with multi-omics approaches, we have shown that minor rather than dominant bacterial players of the cheese microbiota are responsible for gut microbiota modulation of cheese consumers.

Cataract surgery in megalocornea: A qualitative and quantitative evaluation of published literature.

Megalocornea is a rare condition characterized by an enlarged anterior chamber and an extended ciliary ring, often accompanied by early cataracts and zonular anomalies. This systematic review evaluates the outcomes of cataract surgery in patients with megalocornea, focusing on surgical techniques, intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, complications, and visual outcomes. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus.